Police Explain Denial of UPP’s Whistle Stop Request, Approve Motorcade for Sunday

Published
Police Explain Denial of UPP’s Whistle Stop Request, Approve Motorcade for Sunday
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle and Acting Commissioner Everton Jeffers

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has explained its decision to deny a request from the United Progressive Party (UPP) to hold a whistle stop event in the Rural East constituency.

According to a media release from the Office of Strategic Communications (STRATCOM), the Police Administration carefully reviewed the request and determined that the timing of the proposed event conflicted with a period of heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic, raising security and operational concerns.

While the whistle stop was not approved, police confirmed that the party’s separate request to host a motorcade on Sunday, November 16, 2025, has been granted. Formal notice of that approval was sent to the UPP’s General Secretary on Tuesday.

Acting Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers emphasized that the Force’s decisions are guided by safety and resource management.

“The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda remains committed in its duty to maintain law and order while facilitating lawful public and political activities,” Jeffers said. “Our decisions are guided solely by public safety considerations and the efficient use of police resources. We urge the continued cooperation of all citizens and organizations as we work together to ensure a peaceful and orderly environment for everyone.”

The Acting Commissioner added that the Police Administration will continue to act in the best interest of all residents, upholding fairness, professionalism, and integrity in carrying out its duties.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/11/12/police-explain-denial-of-upps-whistle-stop-request-approve-motorcade-for-sunday. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Editorial Staff

About the author

The Editorial Staff refers to all reporters employed by Antigua.news. When an article is not an original creation of Antigua.news—such as when it is based on a press release, other media articles, letters to the editor, or court decisions—one of our staff members is responsible for overseeing its publication.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (14)

  • Faithful National #1 November 12, 2025, 12:38 PM

    So how come these lying bastards failed to let the public know that they received permission for their NOCADE since yesterday??
    Reply
    • Juju Bee November 12, 2025, 1:45 PM

      You should read more. 🤣
      Reply
  • [email protected] November 12, 2025, 1:09 PM

    One at a time. There is a planned motorcade for Sunday and that is in order. Why another whistle stop the same week . Are they trying to create confusing and chaos in this country ? Where is that amount of police to police that whistle stop ? Anywhere there is a large gathering there must be police presence. I support an inquiry or commission of inquiry but don’t trample on other citizens rights to fulfill yours. You want to Jam the traffic with a whistle stop and then a motor cade ? Sombody crazy. If Tim Hector was alive, the government would be duty bound to call for an inquiry
    Reply
  • HMM November 12, 2025, 2:05 PM

    Every time UPP tries to hold something, it’s suddenly a ‘security concern.’ Sounds like politics, not policing.
    Reply
  • Unruly One November 12, 2025, 2:07 PM

    So the whistle stop too dangerous but a motorcade fine? Make it make sense
    Reply
  • Concerned Antiguan November 12, 2025, 2:33 PM

    At least they approved the motorcade. Shows the police aren’t blocking anyone they just want things done properly.
    Reply
  • Vanessa November 12, 2025, 3:43 PM

    Both sides have a point. The police must keep order, but communication could have been better to avoid confusion
    Reply
  • Kiara November 12, 2025, 6:33 PM

    Time enough these tramps just shut up! We already get the point of what yall want and yall just dragging drama along the way! Almost like love and politics. Antigua will make a good series. Bunch of empty vessels disrupting the nation and not getting any attention
    Reply
  • Teon November 12, 2025, 6:34 PM

    Every should get cancelled. We don’t need a police explanation.
    Reply
  • Tromos November 12, 2025, 6:55 PM

    Glad the motorcade was approved in the end. People deserve space to express themselves.
    Reply
  • StandingUp November 12, 2025, 9:54 PM

    Man of God you have guts to come and try to explain your wickedness. It might have been better to stay preaching., Believe me
    Reply
  • Ben Simmons November 12, 2025, 10:45 PM

    They always find a reason to stop the UPP. Freedom of assembly is a right, not a privilege
    Reply
  • Lena November 12, 2025, 10:55 PM

    People love to cry victim, but the Force has a job to do. Public order and security come before politics
    Reply
  • Informed citizen November 12, 2025, 11:42 PM

    Denied one request, approved another
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Antigua and Barbuda

View section