The attack on St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves by protesters challenging changes to the island’s Public Health Act to make vaccines mandatory for categories of frontline workers, was a most vile act which strangely is yet to be condemned by the Opposition New Democratic Party.
The attack was beamed on live television, as viewers looked on in horror as the Prime Minister was hit on the head with a stone. Following the attack, Dr Gonsalves was rushed to hospital, treated and subsequently flown to Barbados for an MRI. He will be back home today in time to celebrate his 75th birthday tomorrow.
Gonsalves had made it clear the proposal was intended for categories of public sector workers and would not involve a penalty or punishment for those who failed or refused to take the vaccine or conduct a COVID-19 test. The uncontrolled violence, therefore, was perplexing.
One person has been arrested and the attack has been widely condemned across the region, with Caricom chairman Gaston Browne expressing concern that the attack came so close to the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise — noting it conveys a symptom of a growing threat of violence in the region. In fact, the attack against Dr Gonzalves should be condemned in the strongest way by all regional leaders, whether they sit in government or opposition.
Truth be told, there have been similar protests around the globe by those who feel their right to refuse the vaccine is more powerful than the rights of others.
In Florida, cases have grown ten times in the last six weeks. Yesterday, White House press secretary Jennifer Psaki revealed they were discussing options for new vaccine mandates. Psaki said the Biden administration is concerned about anti-mask, anti-vaccine mandate restrictions in some states, and had told those leaders to get out of the way if they didn’t want to abide by public health guidelines.
It is a tough stance. But the reality is that every country in the region, including T&T, is pushing for all citizens to get vaccinated. There are anti-vaxxers worldwide but it is unconscionable for those who disagree with a government’s right to protect the majority, to feel empowered enough to launch a violent attack against a prime minister.
Dr Gonsalves was re-elected to office nine months ago, with his United Labour Party winning 9 of the 15 seats in Parliament. As such, his party may not have anticipated hitting a stumbling block with this intended legislation.
Moves to protect lives are also being made here in T&T, with many companies now requiring workers to get vaccinated or undertake PCR tests at their own expense to ensure work environments are safe.
The world is battling with a virus that has claimed millions of lives and governments globally are doing what they must to protect citizens. The region can also ill afford the onslaught that will come with the new deadlier Delta variant.
Violence and anger in the face of the unknown solve nothing. The end game must be protection for all. The only way to achieve that is for citizens to understand their role in this war and to do the right thing by accessing vaccines.