Parents, political parties urged to keep children off campaign trail

By Kimone Witter    

 

Stewart Jacobs, President of the National Parent Teachers Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ), says children should not be part of political motorcades or attend meetings, unsupervised.

 

Mr. Jacobs says he understands that politics in Jamaica is a family affair. But, he says political parties have a responsibility to ensure that unaccompanied minors are not participating in campaigning activities.

 

His comments come against the background of Sunday's death of 15-year-old Lamar Grey after he fell from a bus in a People's National Party motorcade in Portmore, St. Catherine.

 

"My heart goes out to the parents who didn't know that their child was going on the bus. But the political parties ought to be censoring those who are going on the motorcage, to ensure that children are not a part of these motorcades. It's not a place for a child. And I would challenge and I ask and beseech of the political parties in this election campaign and election campaigns to make a concerted effort not to have children on your motorcade," he pleaded. 

 

Sunday's tragedy occurred in the Southboro division.

 

Following the incident, the People's National Party has stressed the importance of heightened vigilance and attention to safety among supporters while campaigning. 

 

Meanwhile, political commentator Damion Gordon said it will be almost impossible for political parties to regulate a motorcade due to the large number of people participating.

 

He has suggested that the parties implore parents and guardians to leave children at home. 

 

"Obviously political campaigning revolves around activities that are really adult-related and these are not safe spaces for children either, and in any event, children are unable to vote. So there's no value in having children being a part of these exercises and I think that the political parties and the candidates can use your influence to say we advise you to leave the children behind," he proposed.   

 

Mr. Gordon also shared concerned about body protrusions from vehicles and other unsafe practices by supporters of political parties. 

 

"We have had similar incidents over the years where supporters of political parties who have dangled from vehicles, have either being injured or are killed, or lost their lives, which speaks to the broader issue. A lot of these motorcades involve a very obvious violation of the road regulations. And many of these candidates themselves are MPs, they are lawmakers and they have a responsibility to ensure that the laws are upheld, including the road codes, and therefore this is where their accountability comes in. They must establish a general code of conduct for all of their supporters who participate in the motorcade."