LIVE images from Tivoli Gardens

Thursday, May 27, 2010

SINCE Sunday, when the army led the mission to Tivoli Gardens, reporters have had limited access to the area.

Information has been scant and soldiers have blocked off every entrance to this area of West Kingston. Corroborating reports of atrocities has therefore been impossible, until now.

Four days later, the press was finally allowed in, but under strict rules: limited numbers and for only one hour.

The tour started at 9:00 am. This article has images captured by our reporter who participated in the tour.Our full report will be published later. You can also follow live updates on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jamaicaobserver

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COMMENTS (28)

N Manley Blythe
5/27/2010

@ Lo Sampson, mademe jamaican,
So what would you now say had the Police arrested and detained the protesters, that act would have saved their lives and the don could not blame them.
But, you would then claim oppression so in fact, no win situation. Since it is what it is, let's support our troops.

Yel oler
5/27/2010

poor garrison communities-they have no control over their lives. I wuz born in tivoli and live downtown in my early years but my mother fought to pull her kids from this environment. I have family members who leave ghetto and return because living outside of ghetto is too hard. Many a nites our family went to bed without food but never ONCE did our family members sought to crime as option.These people have options dont make any excuses for these people. They hide and cover up criminals.

Impartial Jamaican
5/27/2010

I only want to know why they didn't leave? I think many truly believed that under a JLP government this would never happen.

Lo Sampson
5/27/2010

At least, mademe, you understand what goes on in the ghetto. You are right on the money. To me, the people have no other choice. This is all they know, and all they can do to survive. Until the private sector and the govt. do something to show these youths another way, the don's will always be in control. Sometimes in life we don't do things because we want to, we do them because we have to. we have to survive.

jamaica mademe
5/27/2010

I think what many are failing to remember here is that there are severe reprucutions of not supporting the "DON". When you live in a Garrison if you go against the democracy, you could be killed, your house looted/burned, etc. many of the people in Tivoli, if they had left would not be able to return.
At the end of the day the government who should protect the citizens, does not. These garrisons see politicians at election time, then are left to the will of criminals once they win!!!

orchid salmon
5/27/2010

you know this might seem cold, but i do not feel an ounce of pity for the residents of TG. I only hope that the children are ok. these women are really getting under my skin. i mean they are crying that they are being held hostage but when they were given the chance to leave they chose to stay and die for dudus. they are so ignorant that they cant see that it was they who declared war and they who attacked first. Dudus is your god and he has forsaken you so STOP COMPLAINING!!!

Lo Sampson
5/27/2010

This is for all you heartless people. You guys don't have an IDEA how the ghetto runs. First, if these people did leave Tivoli, they wouldn't be able to come back to their posesions because they would be labeled as informers. Second, growing up in the ghetto, there are dons that are brainwashed by the politicians, who then brainwash the people. A lot of these youths have grown up underneath these dons since they are babies, and it is all they know. To me they are victims too. Show some mercy!

N Manley Blythe
5/27/2010

Observer, thanks for the pictures. I do not see where you asked theses people why they did not leave the area. I would love to hear their response. Were they free to go as previously reported or were they forced to stay? Please ask and let us know.

Prudence Gray
5/27/2010

I am deeply saddened by what has happened, but i think however that the people of Tivoli Gardens opened the spiritual realm by stating that they were willing to die for Dudus, God is a jealous God and they have likened man unto him, and went further to say that Jesus died for them and they will die for him this statement was really a prayer that was quickly answered.
we all have to look to God for his intervention, the PNP/JLP cant help change have to be withi. Call a National day of p/fasting

george watson
5/27/2010

The consequence of war is death and persons who declare war have to be prepared for the consequncies.
The security forces did not declare war against anyone. All they were trying to do was to execute a warrant. The residents of TGi dclared war against the state.
As far as I am concerned NO INNOCENT CIVILLIANS DIED IN TG. It was either the security forces or them.
They said that they were willing to die for Dudus. Don't forget that?
They got their wish and I am happy. They should be too.

Jade July
5/27/2010

I don't even think Dudus was even in TG, but its time we as Jamaicans, not just people in garrisons stop protecting criminals how many of us turn a blind eye to crime no matter how small and then we criminalise everyone who lives in garrions and see them as sub-humans. Don't rejoice over deaths we don't know who were killed Do you think the "real shoottas" were still there@ David Armstrong you cannot seize or freeze someone's assets unless they are convicted.

james bond
5/27/2010

Aiding and abetting criminals is a crime, these people are responsible adults and they know the consequences for their evil actions.
The harvest has come!! you will reap what you sow. Not even the dogs that piss upon the wall of Tivoli should be spared.

Michele Khan
5/27/2010

strange, women, women, women they were all willing to die for him as Jesus did for us, and now they are crying, why is it always the woman always crying and protecting these dons. See the don jump the ship.

David Armstrong
5/27/2010

Since Dudus is a fugitive one would think that the government would seize his properties and freeze all his financial assets. Surely if he is a prominent business like some in the government has suggested then he should have a substantial amount of assets.

Brooklyn Jamaican
5/27/2010

O the bleeding hearts. They have been trained in lawlessness. I never knew what the heck Bob was singing when he said, "emancipate ourselves from mental slavery". No where will you ever hear them cry for the Government to free them from criminal elements.

Andy Stewart
5/27/2010

What a performance! They put on a performance to protect Dudus, proclaiming how much they are willing to die for Dudus and dared the Government and people of Jamaica to go up against them. They performed for the media and world press at that time dancing in the streets in praise of Dudus and they are putting on a performance not for the media. I am not fooled, not for a minute not for a second!!!

Jah Selassi
5/27/2010

The residence of Tivoli Gardens cannot have it both ways. At one point they are daring the security forces to come into TG, and when their dare is called they claim victimhood. This nonesense have been tried and played. We have seen this once too much. They have waved signs saying "Jesus died for us and we will die for Dudus" well, they almost had their wish. They need to stop bellyaching and start acting like decent responsible citizens.
Everyone in Jamaica has been a victim.

K G
5/27/2010

What of the over 10,000 Jamaicans killed by the murderers, in the last decade, that live in these garrisons, don't their deaths need to be acknowledged? If it means 500 deaths to spare over 10,000 then so be it. I'm sick of hearing about civil liberties when your own liberties are being robbed by these gunmen and their supporters.

cindy wilson
5/27/2010

Lets all wait until this is over, then we can comment.

Erica Godfrey
5/27/2010

blame the Politicians, Adams is right they let the situation get out of control because they know exactly what is going on in the garrison but want to tell police where and when they can patrol and go in there, well now the whole world is watching. The only people I feel sorry is the kids because they have no control over their situation. We need new leadership on both sides because both parties are rotten to the core.

CHARLES WOODBINE
5/27/2010

there needs to be accountability for this act of criminality,innocent lives must have been snuffed out,who will be held responsible for this?

mark jones
5/27/2010

Seems yall were given a sanitized tour

Randy Mcnamara
5/27/2010

Funny how these tivioliites are now blaming everyone but themselves and their beloved Dudus for their current situation.

K E
5/27/2010

women crying out for freedom!! come on - freedom!!!! really??? seriously?? the security forces are doing what the need to do to get dudus and protect themselves. if you want freedom - let them take dudus it's not the government holding you hostage in your community. is not the government block the road!

Anna Banana
5/27/2010

If there's one thing that all Jamaicans can agree on is that we're saddened it had to come to this. Wherever you stand, whoever you support, no one wants to see this kind of carnage. But gunmen and dons have been causing enough carnage for too long now, and we can no longer tolerate it. We can no longer glorify criminals, corrupt politicians, and dons. I support the security forces and respect their efforts. I hope as many innocents as possible are spared.

james davis
5/27/2010

Now unna si. Too quick fi jump on di band wagon of negativity..Se people start spread all kind of rumor, even though di security force a do a dem good job so all of us maybe able to someday, ghopefully go back and enjoy our country without fear. Seaga a try fi create propaganda fi help di criminal elements get out and hide di gun dem..let di security force keep sweeping and do dem job. food given to dem people down di...how many criminal dem detain why dem tek off a road!..i stand with the law.

A. Croft
5/27/2010

Thank you Observer, journalists, et al. Very enlightening.

The Emperor
5/27/2010

"we want freedom"- that's not what you said a week ago. you said "jesus die for us we will die for duds". you also said he is next to god. now he has fled and left you all dying- was it worth it? you dont have to answer that.
wise up my people
Blessed Love

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LIVE images from Tivoli Gardens