Downtown ready for 'Dudus' lockdown

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

POLICE this morning continued to maintain a constant presence in downtown, Kingston as business operators kept their shutters up in the major commercial sections of the bustling economic hub.

"Business is going on as usual every one just watching," said one store owner.

The city has been on a knife's edge this week in anticipation of civil unrest in reaction to the ongoing extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, reputed don of Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston.

However in the section of the city close to Tivoli Gardens a different story is unfolding. Blockades on all roads leading into Tivoli Gardens and sections of Denham Town continue to be erected. Liquid propane gas cylinders have been placed in most of the blockades.

"Leave Dudus alone him next to God. A him make we have food and send we children to school," shouted one of a group of women who gathered on Industrial Terrace this morning.

Yesterday police announced that they were in possession of a warrant to arrest Coke on sight.

He is wanted by the United States authorities to answer to gun and drug running allegations.

Story originally posted at 12:24 pm

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COMMENTS (26)

Patrick Barrett
5/19/2010

The famous autuor Ayanla Vanzant once wrote "The most powerful tool in the hand of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed". I have always afectionately refer to Jamaica as the most beautiful little rock on the planet. The scope of human imaginations are without bounds and Jamaicans have always stood among giants at the helm of human endeavors. I am particularly sadened that some of our people seem to have abandoned their greatness in lieu of a reliance on politicians and so-called Dons. I have no dog in the fight between the US and Jamaican Governments on the extradiction order of Christopher Coke especially as I am not privy to the details of the indictement. I do know however, that the most important thing to politicians and their co-horts is expediency. It should be interesting to see the reaction of the Dons should a member their constituency/garrison dare to excel financially with any degree of independence. This must be food for thought for all Don worshipers.

melissa norman
5/19/2010

Money-greedy idiot women stop talk about Dudus feed and send children to school. He and other dons does this to control, to rape, to murder and to extort. Buying the citizen of Jamaica gives them permission to continue to rule as dons. Look at the big picture greedy-idot women!

Georgia Morris
5/19/2010

This is dispicable, Jamaica, does not need to travel down this path again.Unecessary bloodshed is what will occur if strategic decisions are not made. Jamaica is a phenomenal country and place that many call home.The government needs a wash out, all this corruption and immoral behaviour is not strengthening Jamaica.
Di daakes' part a di night, a when diay soon light
<3

Paul Gentles
5/19/2010

As this misguided woman who shouts "leave dudus alone,him feed we pickney and send them to school..." its clear we have two wars to fight - the physical battle to remove thugs though challenging is the least difficult the more difficult challenge will be educating and reculturisation of the masses.
Government should be for ALL the people not a selection and appointment of some to rule with an iron fist over others to ensure the masses "stay in line" to ensure votes.

Chloe Alexis
5/19/2010

*sigh* I can't help but feel sorry for some of those people.

howard mathews
5/19/2010

BRUCE are we now to believe that the country is going to have a civil war over this criminal?, Why are we not seeing the full force of the military being deployed to strategic positions so as to prevent the unnecessary loss of life, (or you dont care),. Be a man even for once , think just a little pass your nose, you nu welcome a TIVOLI AGAIN so you need fi look out for the welfare of the other law abiding citizen, mek we see that you have something in you that resemble a prime minister who care about his people. do something............NOW

zina brown
5/19/2010

These are probably the same kind of people who willfully give up their teenage daughters because remember the DON made them go to school and eat, so when the child gets big inna body the teenager must be turned over to the DON. GOD HELP US!!!
How ignorant and dark are these comments. Jamaica Observer please interview people that has common sense next time.
More Love, More LIfe

N Manley Blythe
5/19/2010

Dudus, if you love your country and your people, please tell your supporters to clear the streets and remain calm.
Having done that, please turn yourself in so that we can get this thing over with. Right now you are holding up the progress of our Nation as we have work to do.
Disrespecting the State by blocking roads will only lead to unnecessary bloodshed because no matter what, the Police have their job to do. You are a "big man" so there is no need for the Fugitive Apprehension Team to enter your community to come looking for you, and come they will. Call your attorney and turn yourself in.
Dudus, you have immense power, talk to your people, calm them down, explain to them that this is simply the rule of law that cannot be averted. Prevent the bloodshed Dudus, you can do it, you have the power, prevent the unnecessary bloodshed.

Hotta Fire
5/19/2010

"In di streets is gettin hot an di yute dem a get so co o old"
"It nuh pretty out deh eheheh, stick sticky out deh"
Bruce you piece a shaving cream, you are the biggest hyprocrit, biggest loser, biggest con artist in the history of mankind. Tivolians go up to your MP's office at Jamaica House or his residence where he invited a couple of you last week and demand your safety.
Bruce bamboozled all of you, tricked you into believing he could protect you from criminality when in fact he was hugging up and protecting wanted man. How could your golden one do this to you? Because he doesn't give a shaving cream. While he is relaxing in the AC unuh a fret fi unuh life. What a pitiful people.

Anthony II
5/19/2010

So, are just going to sit by and let this happen? Are we just going to make these people continue to believe that they are above the law? Where are the curfews? Where are the army equipment to remove the blockages? Are we just going to sit by and validate these people' behaviour? Are we going to sit by and reinforce their belief that they are a law unto themselves?

ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
5/19/2010

Liquid propane gas cylinders placed in blockades !! Are these not bombs being staged for explosion ? It seems as if the state of Tivoli has declared war on the state of Jamaica. JDF be ready for action !!

Morris K
5/19/2010

That sums it up -"next to God". Honestly, such ignorance. If I’m God I’m going after her first. I can’t imagine a more insulting comment. So many Jamaicans have become beggars. If you were tryin to feed yourself or ensuring your kids went to school he wouldn’t have such a hold on you and you might actually have some dignity. But for the occasional hand out you’re prepared to look on him with amazement, when he’s never actually done anything to change the course of your lives. The little gratitude that he’s given you is nothing more than a downpayment to use you and your family members as pawns. Ask yourself this, if Dudus thought so highly of you why would he allow you and your family to be put in harms way over charges that, according to those in his camp, would never hold up in a court of law!?! I would LOVE to see the US offer a $10,000 (U.S.) reward.. ras clot… im clot dawk same place inna Tivoli deh..

Paul Gentles
5/19/2010

bruce, tom tavares, desmond mc - any blood that runs as a result of law and order taking its course at this location is a stain on your hands!
this blood will also run into the cabinet and spoil all the "crockery", a stain on the crockery too!
We are heading into a war literally - and figuratively to change the mindset of people like the misguided woman who thinks criminals who feed her children at the expense of other childrens' lives should be worshipped. sad really sad...

John John
5/19/2010

Jamaica - STAND FIRM.
This is akin to a sore foot.
Yes, whereas a bandaid could have cured it years ago, unfortunately, today we need to cut flesh.
My recommendation?
1) Send empty buses island- wide for all dudus supporters.
2) bus them into Tivoli to join their cronies.
3) On you mark, set, GO.
Once the idiots are buried and a pslam or two sung, repeat the same in a PNP garrison community.

Lu Pai
5/19/2010

@Christopher Campbell I'm surprised at your comments, you feel that everyone should pack up and jump ship because Jamaica is going through some trouble? instead of standing firm to fight evil, if our fore-fathers (slaves)took that advise where woud you be today.
Dudus is a man just like any other, he is not God almighty (dispite what others may think).
Jamaica caught a devastating disease mainly from the US, its called gangs,guns, drugs and greed, there is a lot of work ahead, giving up is not an option paradise will be found again.

Jamaican Always
5/19/2010

I have a question for the KSAC. Is there a law that prohibits littering? If so, why are not infractions being issued and the immediate removal of the debris that is currently blocking this community?

Hunter Hearst
5/19/2010

"Dudus a next to God?" This is why Jamaica has such problems. worshipping a drug dealer and probable murderer. I am appalled at that mentality. Do they NOT see that Mr. coke is part of the problem and is using them for his own purposes?
With that mentality Jamaica will never improve. Nor does it seem that many people there care to WANT to do better.

james bond
5/19/2010

The GOJ need to demolish TIVOLI GARDENS that place is a breeding ground for crime nothing good come from that community.
At the end of the day DUDUS is a chink exploiting the youths in the area. and where does Dudus live? in a mansion in ST Andrew Hills.
The quicker the security forces invade Tivoli and eliminate the scums of the society the better Jamaica will be.
Having said that, how come the PALE FACE DON is silent on this issue? and in the past he is the first one to defend the AREA DONS. PICKNEY SHUT MUS AH FIT HIM NOW, AS HE IS NOT SURE IF DUDUS WILL TURN PROSECUTION WITNESS.

The Emperor
5/19/2010

@ Christopher, I like most well meaning Jamaicans, feel your frustration. However, to suggest that everyone get out and brand our specialty as drugs and guns is doing a disservice to our country. I agree with you that one man should not be causing so much heart ache on our beloved island, but do not fan the flames. What of Marley, Garvey, Bolt, the reggae boyz of 98, Ottey, the numerous successful lawyers, doctors, Rhodes scholars, engineers, farm workers, skilled laborers that Jamaica produce? Are you sure our specialty is drugs and guns? Drugs and guns are not manufactured in Jamaica, and this one man could not by himself traffic the amount that he allegedly did all by himself. Lets look for solutions and encourage the well thinking law abiding Jamaicans to work positively for a positive solution. Pain endureth for a night but joy cometh in the morning.
Blessed Lvoe

Declan Gordon
5/19/2010

As someone who was born in Jamaica prior to Independence who left in 1962 but visits on a regular basis, I am disappointed in how the country has developed, or rather failed to develop.

At one time I gave serious consideration to returning to the land of my birth and establishing a business there. After my last few visits this is no longer a realistic consideration.
It seems that the country is incapable of self government as evidenced by the lack of effective governance by either of the two major parties.
Perhaps serious consideration should be given to re-colonization by the United Kingdom.
The daily exhibitions of depravity simply can't be made up.

Christopher Campbell
5/19/2010

Buffoonery at its best.

Miz Dee
5/19/2010

May I suggest that the army be called in? The presence of "liquid propane gas cylinders" suggests that the community is preparing for a war. Perhaps the rest of society should be thus prepared. Just a thought.

Melissa C.
5/19/2010

Send your children to school and let you have food? At what cost? Bringing harm to, robbing and killing innocent people who actually work for their money? They don't seem to realize that all of this good fortune that they believe Dudus is bringing to them is at the expense of the lives innocent hardworking individuals. It pains me to see how blinded and ignorant these people are. Unbelievable..

Axel Foley
5/19/2010

One of these days when you hear a voice say come
Where you gonna run to
One of these days when you hear a voice say come
Where you gonna run to
You're gonna run to the rock for rescue
There will be no rock
You're gonna run to the rock for rescue
There will be no rock

Droula Don
5/19/2010

U see this now. The people dem block up the road fi go a Tivoli. It goes to show that these people are defending the dons and alleged gun runners in the country because "dem a eat a food". I'm tired of this mentality of our people.

Christopher Campbell
5/19/2010

At what point do you begin to look at this country and begin to use the world FAILURE. Jamaica=Failure. How long has the country been in such disarray?.For all of you still down there (thank god I got out) go to a local embassy and apply for a visa. Just try and get out, try and get out to another country, it doesnt have to be the United States, try Europe, or a nation in Asia maybe. Jamaica is a sinking ship, if you are on a sinking ship do you grab a life jacket and get to safety? or do you hang around to see what is going to happen? A man with the last name Coke is being immortalized and for what? Oh because he is involved in guns and drugs, (Jamaicas speacialty) It proves to me you guys have nothing better to do.

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