'It's Our Right to Refuse Vaccine'

Established October 1895 See Inside Sunday April 4, 2021 $2 VAT Inclusive ‘IT’S OUR RIGHT TO REFUSE VACCINE’ B’dians sign petition SO far, over 1,000 Barbadians have signed a petition expressing their right to refuse the COVID-19 vaccination. Variety brings Easter “We are not anti-government; we are not anti-vaccine – what we are is cheer to children pro-choice,” Social activist, Winston Clarke, declared while garnering at Harrison’s Point even more signatures at the car park of Sky Mall, yesterday. Barbadians – Page 2 from all walks of life – regardless of race and religion – joined Clarke and his steering committee in taking a stand against employers who are intimidating workers to take the vaccine. Having surpassed his target of 1,000 signatures, Clarke’s next step will be to present the petition to Parliament on resumption in May. “We said that we would be here collecting signatures from people who want pro-choice. If you want to take the vaccine you can, as there is nothing wrong with that. But we want the choice to be able to refuse it, and we want the choice that if we refuse it Creating a home for that we would not be victimised as a result of our refusing it,” he explained freelancers – A chat to members of the media. “We are hearing that people at with Hire Me certain work establishments are being told that if they do not take the vaccine Express creators that they will be dismissed. So that’s what we are trying to pre-empt.” – Page 6 Clarke also stressed the need for equal opportunity, pointing to some businesses being granted permission to open over others during national shutdowns. He said that many small businesses have been struggling during this period. Rev. Buddy Larrier, Pan Africanist and Social Activist, signed the petition in the RIGHT TO REFUSE on Page 3 presence of Co-ordinator, Winston Clarke (left). Trade agreements under-utilised THE Caribbean region has not been the region in making use of the trade the trade agreement with Cuba, taking advantage of the various trade agreements and maximising their CARIBCAN [Caribbean-Canada Free agreements that it has signed with potential, Caribbean Export will be Trade Agreement] with Canada, or who countries across the world as it should. working assiduously to ensure that firms are the people who are into renewables, That’s the view of Executive Director or individuals interested in exporting we are operating a one-stop shop.You go of the Caribbean Export Development to such countries, have the information to our website carib-export.com and you Agency, Deodat Maharaj, who said they need to make it a reality. He gave get that information. My vision is for A look back at the Caribbean firms are missing out on the assurance, as he maintained that the agency to be a one-stop, non-stop prime opportunities to sell their goods Caribbean Export intends to be a knowledge hub for trade and investment Oistins Fish Festival and services to more than their national “knowledge hub” for the region. for Caribbean business people,” he and regional markets. “So if you’re a business person and you stated. – Page 24 Speaking to The Barbados want information on the EPA [Economic Advocate, Maharaj said that to assist Partnership Agreement] with Europe, TRADE AGREEMENTS on Page 5 2 • Sunday April 4, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Variety brings Easter cheer to children at Harrison’s Point CHILDREN in isolation for COVID-19 will be treated to kite flying over the Easter weekend, through Variety – The Children’s Charity. A donation of 14 kites was made to Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Corey Forde, on Thursday, April 1, 2021 for the children in tertiary care at Harrison’s Point. Dr. Forde expressed his grati- tude for the kites presented, which he believes will be absolutely thrilling for the children. “Easter is certainly a period of giving and sharing and during this difficult period of COVID, Variety has stepped in to help us at Harrison’s Point as we create a period of activities for all the residents at the facilities. They have donated a variety of beau- tiful kites and on presentation of these kites, I am absolutely sure that the children are going to be thrilled by this,” said Dr. Forde. It was important for Variety to Kites destined for children at Harrison’s Point. bring smiles to the faces of children at Harrison’s Point, and effects that persons may have. It country – clubs, societies, associ- make the weekend lighter with is more than welcomed to have ations – can do to assist us in all the Bajan pastime. Variety step in and provide what aspects at the isolation centre “This donation of kites to the I think would be a most valuable is important and today I want children by Variety is a small donation to the kids at the facil- to thank Lady Forde and all of gesture that can make a differ- ity. It is really timely,” he ex- those members of Variety for ence to these children and is in plained. stepping in with very short no- keeping with the work of Variety Variety continues to find ways tice to provide a most valuable worldwide,” said Cheryl Lady to be impactful despite COVID- donation,” added Dr. Forde. Forde. Lady Forde is one of 19. The charity is committed to “Thank you on behalf of the the Trustees of Variety – The the well-being of Barbadian chil- Board of Management of the Children’s Charity and a found- dren and is currently running a QEH and the Chairman of the ing member of the Barbados new Friend Request campaign QEH [for] this donation, which Chapter. to help make more cheerful mo- will go a long way towards im- “Apart from the illness which ments like this possible. proving the mental aspects Cheryl Lady Forde, of Variety – The Children’s Charity, handing is associated with COVID-19, “I think that anything that of the children at the facility,” over a donation of kites to Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. there are serious psychological any person out there across the said Dr. Forde. Corey Forde. Denny offers suggestions for renaming of Fairchild Street Market and Bus Terminal GIVEN a call for Barbadians to Williams, the patriarch of the with working-class people,” he I was given an opportunity to continue submitting names for Sons of God Apostolic Spiritual pointed out. participate in a public meeting. the Fairchild Street Market, Baptist Church. Denny also noted that Parris That meeting was referred which is set to re-open this year, “We want to invite the also represented the Barbados to as the University of the Caribbean Movement for Government of Barbados to Youth Council as its General Independence Square and at Peace and Integration has of- name the Fairchild Street Secretary and he also repre- that meeting, I was General fered up its suggestions. Market after our brother sented the Movement for Secretary for the Pan African In a recent notice, it was Gordon Ricky Parris and two, National Liberation, there in Coalition of Organisations and advised that the Ministry of we want to recommend to the square as well. He was also I made a call for Granville Agriculture and Food Security the Government to rename a key advocate for those in the Williams’ name to be attached is seeking to rename the mar- the bus terminal after the Rastafari community in the to the Fairchild Street Bus ket and is encouraging vendors late Archbishop Granville City of Bridgetown, and under Terminal.” working within the facility, Williams,” Denny announced. the Tom Adams administration, He stressed, “Last November, tradesmen, butchers, histori- “Rickey Parris played a major a place was found for them in at the service for the removal ans, and the general public to role in helping to educate and Temple Yard, he said. Parris of Lord Nelson, our Prime select a suitable name for the mobilise the working-class could also be seen as an artist, Minister the Hon. Mia Amor remodelled market, which has masses during the period of the as he would pull from his bag Mottley also made the call for been in operation since 1958. 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Right many rhythmic poems to edu- the bus terminal to be named Meanwhile, General there next to the Fairchild cate the masses, Denny also after Archbishop Granville Secretary of the Caribbean Street Market, you know that indicated, as he called on the Williams. The Caribbean Movement for Peace and we have what we know as BWU and other organisations Movement for Peace and Integration (CMPI), David the Fairchild Street Market of which Parris was a member, Integration wants to join Denny, says that the Fairchild Square. Ricky Parris partici- to back the call for the market with both institutions – Street Market should be named pated in many political and ed- to be named after him. the Government and the after former trade unionist and ucational meetings right there Denny added, “Secondly, I Pan African Coalition of advocate – the late Gordon in that square. Ricky Parris, want to call on the Government Organisations – to indicate General Secretary of Ricky Parris, whilst the who was elected President of of Barbados to do what is right that we are in support of the Caribbean Movement for Fairchild Street Bus Terminal the Barbados Workers’ Union in relation to the bus terminal. renaming of the Fairchild Peace and Integration (CMPI), should be renamed after the (BWU), participated in many After the death of the Street Bus Terminal after David Denny.

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