Premature End to St Lucia Carnival is a Shame!

by Mantius Cazaubon
(St Lucia)

St Lucia Carnival ended prematurely at about 6pm on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. This was a step taking by the police in an effort to reduce acts of crime and violence.

I don't agree with this direction taken by the authorities. Firstly, if one is a criminal, one's actions are not limited to carnival events or the parade on the road. Additionally, illegal acts take place at any time of the day.

Perhaps the police should spend some more time justifying their stance. Their action has served to make them more unpopular with the masses of people who wait an entire year to jump up for two days. They owe the public a comprehensive explanation.

I think the police is making carnival a scapegoat. As a carnival lover, I will go as far as saying that this is an abuse of power. Largely, they know who the criminals are and should go after them instead of the revelers who simply want to have a good time in the spirit of love and unity. Lock the criminals up and let the people jump up.

It's a shame to have such a short parade. It's particularly embarrassing when one thinks of the many tourists who spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars to come to St Lucia Carnival. This is not enough entertainment for the amount of effort put in by these carnival enthusiasts.

Are we making the mistake of labeling St Lucia Carnival as one which is so violent that the party has to end so early? I think we are sending the wrong message to the international world.

It may be too late to send out this lamentation, but in the words of a popular soca song, "Please Mr Officer give we a chance, we waan jump up, we waan jump up". Next year, the people want more time to jump up and enjoy their money.