By Shuntel Glasgow
Vendors and residents of Plaisance staged a protest on the main access road just opposite the entrance of the primary school on Tuesday evening following the letters received from the Ministry of Public Works to vacate the Railway Embankment reserve.
The protestors demanded that there be consultations concerning the order to vacate.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo accompanied by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson (Jnr) and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, engaged some of the vendors and residents at a meeting held at the Plaisance Primary School. While some vendors were allowed to enter, others were denied access to the compound and barred by police ranks. In an effort to close the compound gates, the police tried pushing the people away and in so doing ended up in a tug-of-war.
It is unclear what was discussed in the meeting but according to a Facebook post by Jagdeo, he had a fruitful meeting with residents and vendors of Plaisance line top area.
Dozens of protesters displayed placards that stated among others, “Dislocation leads to unemployment”, “We are here because we care”, “What is the role and the function of the NDC?”, and “Plaisance is not for sale”. The protest started as the police surrounded the entrance of the school and roadways awaiting the minsters’ arrival. The number grew after some persons were not allowed to enter the meeting.
When Stabroek News arrived at the scene people were out in their numbers on the access road, surrounding streets, and the walkway to the school. A large crowd surrounded the gate including opposition members, Shanieka Haynes, Wayne Maison, and attorney-at-law Daren Wade.
Frustrated vendors outside of the meeting stated that the notice given to them was not enough and unfair. Among them were parents who let it be known that their only source of income and ‘bread and butter’ were being threatened. Stabroek News was denied entry into the compound upon arrival at the meeting.
The Ministry of Public Works issued a press release yesterday referring to the Stabroek News report on the eviction notices. The ministry stated that notices to remove have been issued to all vendors along main thoroughfares where infrastructural works are underway or about to start. The Stabroek News report focused on the Plaiasance vendors as they had reached out to the newspaper on Monday.
The Ministry release had further said that no meeting would be held by the government to engage the vendors as reported in this newspaper yesterday.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill however arrived at the primary school a few hours after the meeting commenced. He was greeted with harsh comments from the residents and vendors.
As the crowd grew rapidly, the SWAT team and other police officers arrived.
A visibly-distressed fish vendor who preferred to remain anonymous said that selling at Plaisance is his only source of income as a vendor at the market. His wish was to voice his concern as a vendor since he has a family to provide for. He questioned, “What they want me to do? Where am I getting it from? How my family eating from today?” According to the man the action taken to remove them from the reserve without proper engagement could lead to an increase in crime in the country.
Vendors along the Plaisance ‘Line-Top’ who had been on the Railway Embankment reserve for years were issued letters to vacate their spots within seven days for a four-lane road expansion. More than 60 vendors are likely to be affected as a result of the project. Monday marked the seventh day since the letters were distributed.
The Plaisance Railway Embankment reserve has been occupied for a number of years by an assortment of vendors including those who sell vegetables, food, and beverages.
A visit on Monday by Stabroek News to the Plaisance Railway Embankment revealed dissatisfaction among vendors about the notice given to evacuate the government road reserve. Fiona De Souza, a food vendor, told Stabroek News that since she was given the letter, frustration has gripped her. De Souza says that she has a mortgage to pay along with other necessities like light and water bills, just to mention a few. De Souza explained that vending has been her main source of income for approximately one year. The mother of three added that if the notice had stated ‘months’ she would have had the time needed to seek out other alternatives so as to keep providing for her family.
Aubrey Peters, a bread vendor who has occupied his space for 20 years, stated that he received the letter to evacuate but reasoned that the vendors were not properly engaged, and by extension, no one visited to conduct an impact assessment surrounding the project. Peters said that the man tasked with distributing the letter simply said, “It’s government land, yall get off”, and then proceeded to serve the letter. Karen Gittens, a single parent explained that she was the first food vendor on the Plaisance Railway Embankment. She had been occupying her spot for 30 plus years and related that it is the only trade she knows. Gittens said her life revolves around her business since her bills including utilities are paid by her business.
