NEW YORK, USA — For a second time last week, Jamaicans in New York rallied outside the headquarters of the United Nations (UN)here Friday, to highlight growing opposition within the Diaspora against mining in the Cockpit Country.

As they did during the first demonstration Monday, the protesters gathered as Prime Minister Andrew Holness spoke during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

They later took their protest outside the Jamaican consulate on Third Avenue in Manhattan and to The Kimberly Hotel, where holness was believed to have been staying.

Decked in the national colours — black, green and gold, the placard-bearing group said they were concerned about possible damage to the water and ecological systems of the area.

Addressing Friday’s demonstration, Irwin Clare, prominent Diaspora advocate, described the Cockpit Country as a “pristine area which must be preserved”.

He acknowledged that bauxite “has been good for Jamaica”, but insisted that a “serious look needs to be taken at the aftermath of the mining process”.

Clare welcomed plans outlined by Prime Minister Holness in his UN address that three million trees are to be planted in Jamaica over the next three years to help combat climate change adversities.

However, Clare argued that “that is not enough, as we also need to ensure the country’s water reserves are protected”.

At the protest on Monday, two members of the group, Sophia Walsh-Newman and Jasmin Pitter, both of the United Negro Improvement Association, told the Jamaica Observer that the group has several concerns regarding any plans to undertake mining activities in the Cockpit Country.

“We are not happy with how the matter is being handled by the prime minister and the Government,” Walsh-Newman said, adding that transparency on the matter had been lacking, and called for a release of the findings of the environmental impact study before any activity is allowed.

Walsh-Newman said that enough attention was not being given to the potential damage to the water source, the ecosystem and the cultural value of the area to residents, especially those of Maroon ancestry.

Holness and the Jamaican Government have repeatedly sought to assure that no mining would take place in the protected area of the Cockpit Country. He again sought to give that assurance during a radio interview here on Thursday.

He told his audience that false notions were being spread in the Jamaican community on the matter, and pledged that there would be no trade-off between the environment and the economy.