KINGSTON, Jamaica — Scores of Jamaicans dressed in yellow gathered in Cross Roads, Kingston on Tuesday, calling for greater government transparency and accountability, while demanding action on several national issues.

Protest organiser Kay Osborne said the demonstration was centred on three key issues: the Government’s proposed third-country national (TCN) agreement with the United States (US), concerns surrounding the Integrity Commission’s (IC) findings involving Government Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley, and the management of Hurricane Melissa relief funds.

READ: WATCH: Jamaicans protest TCN agreement, demand Wheatley’s resignation

She said protesters were calling for greater transparency, accountability and adherence to democratic principles, arguing that the Government has not adequately explained why more than 98 per cent of the relief funds remained unspent eight months after the hurricane.

“There’s a lot of speculation going on that drives fear in the people. We don’t want that to happen. We want clear and proper information instead of four or five different explanations. That can’t drive confidence into the people,” she said.

Osborne also criticised the Government’s handling of the Integrity Commission’s investigation into Dr Wheatley, arguing that the minister should step aside while the legal process unfolds.

“The Government’s obligation is to support the findings of the Integrity Commission. The decision is not final, it goes to the director of public prosecutions, then to the courts. People are innocent until proven guilty, but a senior government minister under a cloud should be moved out of Government until the matter is settled in order to preserve trust in the institutions and trust in the Government,” she said.

She further alleged that keeping the minister in office undermines public confidence.

“We’re demanding that he be allowed the privilege of going through the justice system and see where it can end up, because that’s how our democracy is supposed to work.”

According to Osborne, the demonstration also highlighted concerns stemming from the Auditor General’s report, which protesters argued should not be ignored.

She said the protest attracted supporters from across the political divide.

“We invited both sides, the green and the orange. We invited the church and everybody, and everybody bundled up. We’re glad for it because we are Jamaicans standing up for Jamaica,” Osborne said.

— Sandena James

Protesters demonstrate along Cross Roads in Kingston on Tuesday morning, calling for the resignation of Cabinet minister Dr Andrew Wheatley and demanding greater transparency from the Government over its agreement with the United States to temporarily receive third-country deportees. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

(Photo: Karl Mclarty)