July 13, 2007:
A large crowd assembled in the area of the intersection of
Jeremiah Gumbs Highway and the Blowing point road tonight,
to listen to a series of highly passionate Anguillian
speakers who outlined a need for drastic and
immediate change in Anguilla, starting with the resignation
of the Chief Minister and his United Front government.
Speakers included Hubert Hughes, Bankie Banks, Hayden Hughes,
Percy Thomas, Walcott Richardson, MacClean Webster and
Evan Gumbs. The public meeting started shortly after 8:00pm
and proceeded well into the night, with the crowd continuing
to grow. Often, only blaring horns and supportive shouts
seemed to provide any break to the loud calls for the fall
of the government.
Accusations varied from indications of monetary
improprieties to lack of care by the government for the
average Anguillian and exclusion of Anguillians in favour of
"slave" labour - a direct reference to the large scale
importation of low paid Asian workers on Flag Luxury and
Viceroy projects. The latter in particular came under
serious scrutiny in regards to hiring practices, monetary
influence and large scale land purchases around the island.
Calls were being made for Anguillians to demand the
resignation of the Government prior to the carnival
celebrations which are scheduled to start in earnest
in about two weeks. |
