NEW YORK, USA — Braving cold rain and chilly temperatures, a dissident group of placard-bearing Jamaicans, estimated at 200 by the New York Police Department (NYPD), staged a protest outside the Jamaican consulate here on Friday, hoping to get the attention of the Government.

But showing that there was no unanimity among the nationals on the protestors’ calls to send a signal to the Andrew Holness Administration to deal more decisively with issues like corruption, crime, poor health and education services, a smaller group of Jamaicans staged a counter demonstration across the road.

The pro-Government group hurled accusations of “Anti-Jamaica traitors” at the dissident Diaspora faction led by Dr Rupert Francis, head of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force, and attorney Wilfred Rattigan, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent.

Addressing the peaceful gathering under the watchful eye of the NYPD, Dr Francis sought to provide a historical perspective which he said led to the protest, highlighting several unsuccessful attempts to engage with government officials, notably National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang and Ambassador to the US Audrey Marks.

“My action and the actions of others who see things in similar light have nothing to do with politics. They are not political, we are simply concerned about the future of our country,” Francis told the lively crowd.

Rattigan, who recently upped the ante by formally registering the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, the name under which the Government organises official activities with the Diaspora, also stressed that their action “should not be seen as being personal, political or about money”.

Warning that a similar approach could come under any other Administration, he declared: “It’s about accountability and good governance.”

Protesters were also addressed by Herb Nelson Jr, Patrick McArthy and Solita Pinto.

Speaking for the counter protesters, Dr Clovis Nelson described the actions of the dissidents as “designed to discredit the progress of the Government which is working hard to lift up Jamaica”.

Nelson pointed to what he said is the positive growth of the country’s economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Holness, suggesting that the organisers of the demonstration were pursuing personal vendettas.

He cited a failed application by Rattigan to become police commissioner, as well as recommendations by Dr Francis to deal with crime which were never accepted by the Government.

Several protestors who spoke with the Jamaica Observer said they decided to join the action “not for political reasons but because we think things can be better in Jamaica”.

“We want better for our country, and that’s why we are here,” said a woman who did not give her name but said she had travelled from California to register her protest.

Before the demonstrators dispersed, Rattigan announced that the third protest will take place in Washington, DC, next month. The first was staged in Miami, Florida, in January this year. Others are planned for Canada and the United Kingdom before culminating in Miami where it started.