KINGSTON, Jamaica — Residents of Portmore, St Catherine on Thursday continued their resistance against a bill passed in the House of Representatives earlier this week to make the municipality of Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish.

Voicing their frustration over what they called a “lack of consultation by the government” before the legislation was passed, the protesters gathered with placards just steps away from the parliamentary building, where the ceremonial opening is currently underway.

One protester, holding a sign that read “Gerrymandering Alert! Political Grab” told Observer Online, “We want to be heard. We want our voices to be heard. We need persons to know that we are the ones who will be affected and they must come to us to find out if this is lucrative to us.”

She was supported by several senior members of the People’s National Party (PNP) who were in strong opposition to the passing of the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act 2025 in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

READ: House passes bill to make Portmore a parish despite strong opposition from PNP

This protest marked the second demonstration in two days, following a gathering on Wednesday at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.

READ: Portmore residents call for gov’t to roll back bill to make Portmore a parish