Chaos Mars Stakeholder Meeting to Discuss Portmore Parish Push

A stakeholder meeting to discuss Portmore’s transition into the country’s 15th parish, was marred on Tuesday night by clashes between People’s National Party, PNP, and Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, supporters.

The meeting was held at the Portmore Municipal headquarters and chaired by Mayor Leon Thomas.

Also in attendance were South St. Catherine member of parliament, MP, the PNP’s Fitz Jackson, JLP MP for East Central St. Catherine, Alando Terrelonge and fellow Labourite, Robert Miller, the MP for South East St. Catherine.

The PNP’s Raymond Pryce and Dr. Alfred Dawes were also in the audience.

The meeting began at about 4:30 pm. During the question and answer session, several JLP supporters pulled out placards and began chanting.

Some of the placards read, “We want Portmore to be a parish.” This led to an exchange of chants and taunts between rival supporters.

The moderator, Bishop Dr Alvin Bailey, pastor of Portmore Holiness Christian Church, repeatedly called on MP Terrelonge to control the JLP supporters.

Bishop Alvin Bailey, pastor of Portmore Holiness Christian Church.

At one point, Mayor Thomas left his seat to intervene.

Videos circulating on social media show him angrily slapping a placard from the hands of a woman. The video shows Mayor Thomas being restrained and then led away.

The meeting ended prematurely.