Article by ANESTA HENRY — FIRST APPEARED IN BARBADOS TODAY.
August 7, 2021
Close to 2000 Barbadians and non-nationals marched through the streets of The City today to send a message to authorities that they are strongly against any move to make the COVID-19 vaccines mandatory in Barbados.
The march, which started at Pelican Village with what could be described as a large crowd, turned into hundreds by the time it got to Broad Street.
The young and old from all professions, socio-economic and religious backgrounds, a few with placards in hand, walked through the hot sun, chanting “no vaccines” as they participated in the march, which was organized by the Barbados Concerned Citizens Against Mandated and Coerced COVID vaccination.
Under the watchful eye of members of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF), and shoppers who rushed out of stores to get a glimpse of the procession, which ended at Independence Square, the protestors made it clear that they have the right to choose what goes into their bodies. Some drivers waved at the walkers, others screamed that they were in agreement with the action, while scores honked their horns.
Sofia Levi, who said she believes that plants are for the healing of the nation, said she has no trust in the COVID-19 vaccines.
Levi said she has researched the various types of COVID-19 vaccines and has found out that manufacturers are not accepting responsibilities for any side effects the vaccines may cause.
Levi said: “So, we don’t want to be a host, we don’t want to be a carrier, so please don’t kill me. It is a power of choice. We are saying together as a people that we are united in one cause.
“We want to live healthy on earth, and we want to increase and multiply and we believe that this vaccine will take away life and health from people. So, we say no to the vaccine. We are saying to the minister, no to the Government, no to the world, but we are saying yes to God and yes to the universe”.
Another marcher, who only gave her name as Richards, said she was impressed with the turnout from Barbadians who are against any move to make the vaccine mandatory. Richards said she was also not impressed with the campaign to promote the vaccine, being pushed on the media.
“We are here to be the voice, to represent our children, to represent the people who can’t represent themselves,” Richards said.
Speaking to hundreds in Independence Square, Brother student Minister in the Nation of Islam, Abdul Rahman, sent the stern warning to the Government and CARICOM leaders, that citizens intend to fight the issue of mandating experimental COVID vaccination for the people of Barbados and the Caribbean.
Rahman said: “I say to our Minister of Health and our Chief Medical Officer, you are lying to the people when you declare these experimental vaccines to be “safe and effective”.
“How can you declare them as such when you know that they have not endured the proper clinical trials to prove them as such? These ‘so-called’ vaccines are new, unapproved and investigational. Approved for emergency use only”.
Meanwhile, social activist Winston Clarke, one of the organizers of the march, said the Barbados Concerned Citizens Against Mandated and Coerced COVID Vaccination wants an audience with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley.
Clarke said if the Government does not intend to listen to his group, it will continue protest actions to show its stance on the issue.
BELOW ARE SOME IMAGES CAPTURED FROM A TELEVISION SCREEN.
