By: Staff Writer
August 13, 2021
“No vaccine” is what they chanted in Barbados last Saturday as a group of concerned citizens came out to tell the government of Barbados that they don’t want a proposed mandatory COVID-19 vaccination plan.
The protest held last week Saturday was downplayed by local media as videos of the event, which appears to have a few hundred people in the streets, was said to have started from Pelican Village and ended up all the way to Independence Square.
Winston Clarke, protest organiser, described by the Barbados Today as a “self-styled social activist,” said on his Facebook page that he had collected some 4,700 signatures against the proposed mandatory vaccination programme, despite the government announcing that it has “not yet made a policy decision as it relates to making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory” for the country.
Despite the government not making an official position and being somewhat vague on whether or not they intend or had intended for mandatory vaccinations, has not stopped groups from organising in anticipation of such a move if the government decides to in fact go ahead with mandatory vaccinations as Clarke is joined in solidarity with a Rastafarian group and the Nation of Islam in a coalition against the mandatory vaccination proposition.
Clarke has also called for a boycott of stores and restaurants that favour vaccine mandates, claiming his stance was the “majority” opinion, according to the Barbados Today.
The region has already seen how violent those who are opposed to mandatory vaccinations can become. Last week. St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, was assaulted on his way to parliament to debate amendments to the Public Health Act amid an anti-vaccination protest. The amendments had passed in the parliament however, despite the nasty public backlash.
The CARICOM has denounced the attack, as well as Prime Minister Dr Gonsalves saying that violence is not the solution and that it is unacceptable and that he expects the perpetrator to be brought to justice.
In Barbados, however, comments on social media are clearly siding with Clarke and the anti-vaxxers. One commenter to video of the protest, posted on the Facebook page “Dale the Voice,” said: “For those who don’t want it fine make all the noise you want but for those who will take it please do so quietly.”
Another commenter said: “Yes to that. No vaccine,” with yet again someone pointing out recent developments on the efficacy of the vaccine, “Vaccinated people are still getting COVID-19!”
Not all comments were in favour of the “no vaccine” cause. One commenter sarcastically said on the other hand, “I shall encourage them as I am looking for some cheaper real estate.” With another saying, “I see dead people.”
So as the debate around mandatory vaccines continue no one knows where exactly to turn to in a time like this. Will the governments of the world continue to force mandatory vaccinations on individuals, vaccinations that are seen to be rushed and not efficacious or shall we all continue to wear masks and be at the full risk of contracting the COVID-19? Each one should be guided by their own conscience.