Acting Press Secretary Maurice Merchant (Photo by state media)
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has made a strong condemnation of the beach access actions taken by the Opposition UPP over the Whit Monday Holiday. Director General of Communication Maurice Merchant relayed the government’s perspective during Thursday’s weekly Post-Cabinet Press Briefing.
He said the Cabinet has dismissed these actions as a “deliberate act of deception” – a mere attempt at finding a “new issue following their unsuccessful efforts to gain public support through the dissemination of false and defamatory claims” regarding the Alfa Nero.
According to Merchant, the Opposition action included “acts of trespassing, property damage, and intimidation of workers.”
Mr. Merchant also stated that at least one major investor is preparing to file legal action against individuals that he observed on camera breaking the law on his property.
As an Antiguan citizen, I’m worried about this back-and-forth. Our tourism industry is crucial, and any actions that make us look unstable are bad for everyone. Both sides need to sit down and find a solution that protects beach access and respects investment. Legal action against citizens for beach access is a slippery slope.
The beach should be free. No matter who owns property alongside it. You. Cannot own the blasted beach
Recently, a family member and I went to a beach with a hotel attached to it. As soon as we set foot on the property, the security guard came towards us in an intimidating manner as if trying to get us to leave. We ignored long enough to observe the beach and then we left..not because of the guard but because the water looked nasty. All I got to say is … A Antigua me born and I will be damned if I can’t go to any beach I damn well please. Now destroying property is another matter entirely, but the word trespassing should never be used in regard to an Antiguan citizen and a beach.
These people are a bunch of trouble makers. It was blatant in the videos they posted. Stop the nonsense cause you making it harder for people to want to give you their vote
Revolutionaries do not have the right to be cowards. We have to stand up to fight for our country because, the country is ours. It does not belong to anybody else” Maurice Bishops.
Antiguans must be prepared to stand up and fight for your rights, which include all our beaches.
Apex Jones they are not trouble makers. If the beach was accessible they wont be there making noise. You are a Labourite and you will say anything.
If THE P M of 🇦🇬 Desired to do SOMETHING about OBSERVING THE LAW Related to BEACH ACCESS By US …… He would not have A Sign On the BEACH SIDE of His HOME AT JOLLY BEACH That says “RESIDENTS ONLY”!!!!
Luckily (for THE P M) THIS SIGN Was Torn Down (??? By Whom) ….. by the time the UPP CAR-A-CADE got to THAT Beach …… As Observed The Twisted Sign Close to the Ground When the Scene at the Sea Front of the PRIME MINISTER’S Home on Jolly Beach was Flashed on the Video ……
……. The Prime Minister of 🇦🇬 should be ASHAMED Of His LACK OF ACTION TO SECURE BEACH ACCESS TO ALL BEACHES for US THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PAID 3 TIMES FOR OUR LAND —- BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS, AND $$$$!!! . …..
THIS ACCESS Placed in OUR LAWS by “The Father Of The Nation” — PAPA BIRD is What The UPP HAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL OF US — Even THOSE Who REFUSE To See THE TRUTH Staring Them In THEIR FACES ….. Sad Sad Sad 😢 😢😢😢