By Teino Evans, Staff ReporterTHE RECENT upsurge in violence in the Old Capital of Spanish Tow has forced the organisers of the all-night Christian party, "Gospel Overdose" to postpone the event.
It was slated to take place over the Independence weekend.
A statement from the promoter of the event, Mr. Markland Edwards, stated that "due to the recent slaying of Oliver 'Bubba' Smith, the alleged leader of the 'One Order' gang, which operates in Spanish Town, the event (Gospel Overdose) scheduled for Sunday August 1, 2004 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval has been postponed until further notice."
DECISION
This decision, Mr. Edwards said, was made after much dialogue with religious leaders within Spanish Town and all the parties involved; as persons have expressed concerns for their safety due to the tense situation in the Old Capital at this time. "Even some of the pastors have been saying that members have not been coming out to night service because of fear over their safety while going home," Edwards told The Gleaner.
Interestingly, Gospel Overdose, which was set to feature the likes of Marvia Providence and Papa San was initially planned to restore Spanish Town from its current state of crime and violence. However the violence has put a temporary lid on the concert.
Edwards said that despite the event having been organised to restore calm in the Old Capital, they have to be smart in how they approach the situation.
"We don't want to pump in all that money and then at the end of the day we don't get the support, and furthermore if we are not getting the masses then it doesn't make sense. Its like you are going in there all by yourself and we would need the support of ministers and religious leaders in Spanish Town and also those who are backing the concert financially," Edwards explained.
NO FINANCIAL LOSSES
Even though the show has been postponed indefinitely, Edwards says there are no financial losses or damages done. "Where the contract is concerned with Marvia, we have within 120 days to come up with a new date and also, we had not put up any money as yet, as we largely had media sponsors, so we have not faced any losses," he said.
The concert which was a combined effort of the Jamaica Amalgamated Cable System Limited (JACS), CVM Television Limited (CVM TV) and Anbell, was said to be in an effort to bring about renewal, revival and restoration to the troubled city of Spanish Town.
