Residents, PNP Officials Stage Protest Against Portmore Parish Push

Residents of Portmore and officials of the Opposition People’s National Party, PNP, joined forces on the streets of the municipality on Monday morning as they protested the government’s push to make Portmore into the country’s 15th parish.

Protesters were seen with placards saying, “No consultation, no parish”.

Residents of Portmore.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill which seeks to amend the Counties and Parishes Act, thereby giving Portmore parish status.

Last week Tuesday, a stakeholder’s meeting hosted by Portmore’s Mayor Leon Thomas to discuss the transition with residents, was disrupted by clashes between PNP and Jamaica Labour Party supporters.

At least three women have filed reports with the police, claiming they were physically assaulted by Mayor Thomas.

The mayor issued a statement lamenting the disruption of the meeting and admitting that he did act to remove the placard from the hands of at least one protestor.

Mayor Thomas was present at the protest event on Monday.

Leon Thomas, mayor of Portmore.