PRIVATE SECTOR companies and representatives are often criticised for speaking out against crime and violence but being reluctant to make any personal identification with efforts to deal with the scourge. Money is given behind the scenes for worthy initiatives, perhaps, but no overt, personal commitment to help in the fight is usually evident.
But perhaps inspired by the business sector shut-down in May Pen to protest against the murder of Mr. Maurice Azan and his son-in-law Mr. Lloyd Phang, a conclave of leading business organisations spearheaded by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has announced plans for three days of protest against crime and violence starting next week Wednesday.
All commercial activities are to come to a halt at 2 p.m. to allow for a mass gathering at Emancipation Park to be attended by leading Jamaican business personalities representing the PSOJ, the Jamaican Manufacturers' Association, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.
On Friday, representatives of the private sector are to meet with Government officials and members of the Opposition to demand greater urgency in the fight against crime and violence.
In announcing the plan, Mrs. Beverly Lopez, President of the PSOJ, said: "There is a declared war between law abiding Jamaicans and the gun-toting criminals among us." She is of course correct. All of us must decide now whether we want to live in a civilised country or a nation filled with fear and uncertainty. These are obviously heartfelt words which have a ring of determination and passion about them.
It remains to be seen what support the PSOJ's call for public protest will receive from the movers and shakers of the business world. If the support is orderly and massive we believe it will stir the political directorate into more focused action in dealing with criminals in their constituencies and providing the police force with the resources it needs at this crucial juncture in the life of the nation.
If next week's symbolic protest is to mean anything, there has to be concrete action flowing from it. Otherwise, however well-intentioned, it becomes just another symbolic letting off of steam. We must move beyond this. Yet, for all this call to action and declarations of solidarity, we should not be naive. Gunmen and other criminals intent on creating mayhem in the society are hardly likely to be impressed by this mass show of unity. They must be put on the run by the determined action of the state security apparatus that ferrets them out through proper investigation, locking them up or executing them as the law prescribes for their crimes.
