Left to right: Douglas and MillerKlao Bell, Staff Reporter
The People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have snubbed the call from the Christian Leaders for National Change (CLFNC), to indicate a commitment and willingness to change.
Three weeks after CLFNC sent letters with a list of nine demands to the two major political parties, JLP representatives said they have not received the letter and PNP representatives said the letter will be discussed at the weekly meeting - if time allows.
"I am not aware of the letter. Who are the Christian Leaders for National Change?" asked Ken Baugh, JLP general secretary.
Harry Douglas, deputy general secretary for the PNP said, "When we next meet we will discuss it, but Monday is also Michael Manley's birthday so I don't know if we will have time to discuss it."
Though parties have been truant in issuing official responses, a trickle of politicians have quietly supported the CLFNC call.
"I've heard from one or two political representatives, who have said they share the concerns and that there are issues that need to be addressed," said the Reverend Dr. Al Miller, spokesperson for the CLFNC.
CLFNC's demands include constitutional reform, an end to political tribalism, dissociation from dons, an end to extra-judicial killings, humane treatment of prisoners and decrease in taxes.
In the meantime, CLFNC has lost some ground in gathering the support of Christians across the island. Some persons misinterpreted the group's threat to discourage members from voting for some political representatives as a call to boycott elections, and withheld their support.
"Many people thought we were telling people not to vote, this created some apprehension and caused a slowing up in the show of support from some sectors which may affect the turn out on Sunday (today) when we have our next meetings. But voting is a democratic right, abstaining would be irresponsible," Rev'd Dr. Miller said.
Today, thousands of Christians are expected to gather in town squares in the three counties of Jamaica for a mass rally in culmination of a 21-day fast. The first rally was supported by thousands who turned out in Half-Way Tree square on November 18. There, an ultimatum was issued to political leaders.
"We demand that the leaders of the two major political parties, change the system radically...the failure of our political leaders to give us an immediate and satisfying action-oriented response...will result in us mounting a national campaign to encourage all church members and others, to not support in any form, or vote for any party bent on maintaining the status quo," states the text of the CLFNC's ultimatum.
"There is no confusion in the suggestion to not vote for certain people. We have said that Jamaicans should identify those they want to represent them and support them. We have also been praying that if parties are unwilling to change then God should raise up an alternative," Rev'd Dr. Miller said.
Other Christian and business leaders have had mixed reactions to the CLFNC.
"What CLFNC is doing is a sign that democracy is growing. But one must be careful with any messages that could be interpreted as a call not to vote," said Anthony Chang, president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
