The People's National Party (PNP) yesterday carried out its threat to stage islandwide protests against the Government's $21.8-billion tax package, despite news that Prime Minister Bruce Golding was poised to announce an amended bundle.

From Highgate in the east to Sam Sharpe Square in the west, PNP supporters, joined by other Jamaicans opposed to the initial tax package, echoed their words of protest forcefully and loudly.

With some hurriedly prepared placards, the protesters braved the mid-morning sun and demanded changes to the Government's tax programme.

The Gleaner was on the streets covering the heavily policed protests which ended with no reports of mayhem.

Mandela Highway

Former Member of Parliament for Northern Clarendon Horace Dalley (in orange) joins protesters along Mandela Highway yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

The Region Four leadership retreated from the Caymanas crossing along the Mandela Highway in St Catherine, clearly buoyed by the outcome of the protest.

It was a day when hundreds of placard-bearers descended on the busy thoroughfare in enthusiastic solidarity with the People's National Party (PNP) leadership.

The large contingent of police had little to do with the exception of an episode in which they took away a supporter armed with what they said was an offensive weapon.

That apart, the day was described as a huge success for the large gathering of Region Four leaders.

For the duration of the five-hourlong protest, the energy never waned as the protesters sang, danced and handed anti-tax pamphlets to receptive motorists, many of whom honked their horns in seeming solidarity.

The excitement heightened around midday when PNP President Portia Simpson Miller ventured into the area, which was attended by the gamut of MPs and caretakers from the region.

- Gary Spaulding.

Cross Roads

Protesters take to the streets in Cross Roads, St Andrew. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

NOT EVEN the sweltering heat of the sun deterred the estimated 300 supporters of the People's National Party (PNP), who held placards in Cross Roads yesterday for more than three hours while registering strong protest against the Government's new tax measures.

The rallying cry from the top brass of the party was "enough is enough", as speaker after speaker decried the $21.8-billion tax package announced by Finance Minister Audley Shaw last Thursday.

Leader of the Opposition and president of the PNP Portia Simpson Miller was introduced by her former contender for leadership, Dr Peter Phillips, as "the darling of the people and the champion of the people", which sent the party faithful into frenzy.

In her presentation, Simpson Miller boasted that the PNP's demonstration was peaceful and successful.

However, the party president cautioned the Government against what she said was its dictatorial posture.

"We are a responsible Opposition but we will die defending the rights of the Jamaican people," she said to resounding applause.

The opposition leader scoffed at comments by Cabinet ministers, who claimed the prime minister was compassionate and had heard the cry of the people.

"The prime minister did not hear the people's cry; the prime minister made the people cry," she asserted.

- Edmond Campbell.

St Ann's Bay

A protester holds up a placard in St Ann's Bay, St Ann. - photo by Carl Gilchrist

The rains stayed away after four consecutive days to allow the opposition People's National Party (PNP) to stage a peaceful protest Wednesday in St Ann's Bay, as part of a series of islandwide protests against the Government's tax package.

Several hundred persons, many dressed in the familiar party colour of orange and waving placards with anti-government slogans, marched along the town's bypass then along Main Street, where they later stopped to hear addresses from several elected party representatives in the parish.

The police blocked off a section of the road to vehicular traffic to allow the gathering.

Among the several placards were some that read 'Apply the law, fire Audley Shaw', 'Driver yuh gone a gully', 'Bruce you killing us', and 'JLP abandon us'.

Member of Parliament for South East St Ann, Lisa Hanna, told the gathering that the actions of the Bruce Golding-led administration show that they are not creative, have no idea how to run a country and simply cannot manage.

Party caretakers, Val Wint of South West St Ann and Paul Stewart of North East St Ann, both scored the protest a success.

Wint said the protest has sent a message to the Government and he is hoping they take heed.

- Carl Gilchrist.

Highgate

Opponents of the Government's tax package turned up in Highgate, St Mary, yesterday to voice their disgust. Leading the protest is Dr Morais Guy (on raised platform), the member of parliament for Central St Mary. - Ian Allen/Photographer

It was by no means a bumper crowd that gathered in Highgate, St Mary, yesterday to voice disapproval of the $21.8-billion tax package that Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced in Parliament last Thursday.

Placards appeared to outnumber protesters and it was not the usual fervour associated with political marches.

Nevertheless, the message that the People's National Party (PNP) took to the streets was delivered and Dr Morais Guy, who led the demonstration, said it was well received.

"We have been experiencing heavy rains in the parish over the past 72 hours and that has put a damper on the ability of persons to come out, but we are quite pleased with the turnout," Guy told The Gleaner.

"We are not worried that the numbers that we anticipated were not able to come. It is not that we are unable to mobilise them but the rains played a part and others had their business to conduct," he added.

Nearly 200 protesters and bystanders stood in Highgate square for just over an hour as the PNP leaders of Region 2 - Portland, St Thomas and St Mary - lambasted the Golding administration for its handling of the economy.

Many St Mary residents who stayed away said it had their support.

"Is the best thing at this time 'cause dis tax package is a burden," one elderly man told The Gleaner.

- Daraine Luton.

Mandeville

A handcart man operating in Mandeville displays a placard expressing how he feels. - photo by Angelo Laurence.

The police were out in unusual numbers in the town in anticipation of the People's National Party's (PNP) demonstration from as early as 7 a.m yesterday.

First to show up were the PNP's General Secretary Peter Bunting and a handful of supporters armed with placards denouncing the new tax package announced by Government last week.

However, by 10 a.m., approximately $300 turned up, many donning party colours with placards of all descriptions carrying messages of dissatisfaction with Finance Minister Audley Shaw and the Government's proposed tax measures.

While there was very little for the police to do, the demonstrators were very vocal in their call for a total review of the items that are on the list to be taxed or see an increase.

- Angelo Laurence.

Montego Bay

Early protesters decided not to wait for their colleagues before starting their action along Howard Cooke Boulevard in Montego Bay, St James. - photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

The turnout was modest at best but the enthusiasm was riveting, as placard-waving People's National Party (PNP) supporters yesterday staged an energetic demonstration in Montego Bay, St James.

The demonstration, which encompassed party supporters from Region Six (St James, Hanover and Westmoreland), was scheduled for Sam Sharpe Square but for the most part unfolded along Howard Cooke Boulevard in the heat of mid-morning traffic.

"We are not here to create mayhem, we are here to make a statement to the Government about the oppressive tax measures that were recently announced," said Dr D.K. Duncan, PNP chairman for Region Six.

Throughout the demonstation, protestors vigorously waved placards with messages such as 'GCT - Golding Coming with Tax', 'The Driva Crash De Bus', 'Three Card Government' and 'Jabs Jabs Jabs' at passing motorists.

- Adrian Frater.