Philipsburg: --- The citizen movement MOCSAM will be holding a march tomorrow Friday in protest of the high cost of living and the road tax which the Collectivity is demanding from its citizens. President of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs said it was decided by the residents and teachers who participated in the public meeting last night (Wednesday night) that a march is held. Marchers would be gathering infront of the Lycee Polyvalent in the Spring where the march would begin to the Sous Prefecture of St. Martin.
Once there the delegation would deposit a list with their grievances. Those grievances include the high cost of living and the illegal road tax that the COM is demanding from its citizens through scare tactics Gumbs said. "We want clear answers from the Sous Prefet, he would have to tell us why he is endorsing this illegal taxation and we would be demanding that this be stopped or put on hold until the State legalizes the taxation." After that the marchers would move to the Collectivity where they would deposit another list before moving over to the Nina Duverly School. He said a podium would be installed in front of that school where a number of persons would be speaking. The idea Gumbs said is to make sure the people of St. Martin fully understands what is taking place in their country. He further explained that this would not be a one day protest. The protestors would decide on what other move to take when they hear from their State and local officials.
Gumbs is calling on all residents of St. Martin to come out and support the march. He said it is time for the population to take action since life on St. Martin is getting extremely hard. The EDF, Service des EAU and the Collectivity staff will be supporting the march set for Friday. While rumors have it that water and light will be cutting off when the action begins Gumbs said that the MOCSAM asked these companies to support the action but they did not request from the companies to cut off people light and water. He said since the beginning of the week there are all sorts of rumors but he could not confirm any of it.
According to information circulating this is action is held in collaboration with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Residents of the Overseas territories are calling on the State to do something about the high cost of living and the recession in France. So far Yves Jego walked out of a meeting that was being held in neighboring Guadeloupe.