KINGSTON, Jamaica – Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has joined in the condemnation of a viral video of People’s National Party President Mark Golding, who on the weekend during a party meeting, was seen parading a man of African descent in a large chain around his neck.

In a release, the young JLP affiliate expressed deep concern over the portrayal.

“Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Jamaica Labour Party is deeply concerned and disturbed by the recent actions of People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding and General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell during a political platform event. The duo’s portrayal of slave chains and related imagery have ignited outrage among Jamaicans and has drawn sharp criticism from the Young Jamaica membership,” a section of the release stated.

“The use of such offensive imagery, which harkens back to the darkness period in our history when our black ancestors were subjected to the horrors of slavery, is not only insensitive but deeply disrespectful to the memory of our ancestors who endured unimaginable suffering,” it added.

On Tuesday, Culture Minister Olivia Grange accused Golding of making a mockery of black people’s struggle for freedom.

“I was horror-struck when I saw Mark Golding pull the man by the large chain around his neck while laughing and having a jolly good time. My heart sank as I remembered the ancestors who were similarly treated as they endured hundreds of years of unspeakable oppression and brutality perpetrated by white colonial enslavers in a long war for our freedom today,” the culture minister said.

“All of us have been the beneficiaries of Emancipation given to us by the ancestors. We mustn’t take it lightly that today we live the life our African ancestors could only dream of. How could the holder of such a high constitutional office as Leader of the Opposition so disrespect our ancestors who gave their lives so that we could be here today?” she added.

READ: Golding disrespected the blacks’ struggle for freedom, says Grange

The JLP youth arm also viewed the use of the chained individual as an insult to the black ancestors who fought for freedom and independence.

“… Young Jamaica views the PNP’s use of such imagery as a direct insult to the countless heroes and heroines who fought valiantly for our freedom and independence. These individuals sacrificed their lives and livelihood to secure a brighter future for all Jamaicans regardless of their racial or ethnic background,” the Young Jamaica release stated.

Young Jamaica also called on Golding and Campbell to apologise for their actions.

“Young Jamaica calls upon PNP president Mark Golding and general secretary Dayton Campbell to issue an immediate and unequivocal apology to the Jamaican people. These apologies must acknowledge the pain and offences caused by their actions and affirm their commitment to respectful and responsible political discourse,” Young Jamaica demanded.

“As young leaders of this great nation, we believe we must foster an environment of unity, respect, and progress. We urge all political leaders to refrain from exploiting sensitive and painful historical narratives for political gain and to instead focus on constructive solutions to the challenges facing our nation today,” Young Jamaica added.