Marigot:--- A small but radical group of people came out in support of Robert Romney on Thursday to send a strong message to the Recteur and the Minister of Education on Thursday. While the support committee organized three protest marches only a handful of people on St. Martin decided to heed the call of the committee. It was clear that the committee and its supporters meant business on Thursday when they gathered in front of the Nina Duverly School.
The protest will be continuing on Friday said Louis Mussington. Supporters, parents and teachers are asked to make a sacrifice and to come out and support the cause in front of Nina Duverly School. Mussington and Aline Choisy who are heading the support committee said they are prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure the Rectorat and the Ministers in France understands that St. Martin means business and that they have had enough when it comes to disrespecting St. Martin and its people. It is understood that the committee will go as far as stopping the Brevet de Colleges next Monday and Tuesday. Should this happen then the entire French Region will be affected since the Brevet is a national examination for all students in the final classes of the junior colleges. Should the examination be stopped on St. Martin then the other islands in the Region would not be able to do examination.
The protestors decided that their first message on Thursday must be sent to the people of St. Martin and they did so by blocking the road at the junction of Rue de la Republique and Rue de Hollande leaving a number of motor vehicle users in traffic jam.
The protestors were carrying posters saying that St Martin people are not"kounoumounouz". "Respect the St. Martin and its People" and We want to decide for Ourselves."
Territorial Councilor Louis Mussington made clear that the people of St. Martin have had enough and respect must be given to the island's people. Head of the support committee Aline Choisy called on the Spanish speaking nationals and Haitians who are making use of the public schools to come out and support them in their cause. "This is not our cause alone but it is also yours since your children is making use of our schools" Choisy also sent a message to the European community who fought against the turn over tax to take the streets to defend a worthy cause. "I want to see you all fight this cause just like you did when it was meant to hurt your pockets." Choisy said. The marchers held their posters high in the air and human chain was formed to make sure there was no flow of traffic through Concordia. While the road users were caught by surprise, there was no public disorder.
Among the protestors were first vice president Daniel Gibbs, Jean David Richardson, Alain Richardson, Louis Jeffry, Louis Mussington along with Mayor Albert Fleming.
Territorial Councilor Louis Jeffry who is also part of the committee led the protest with a car that had loud speakers. The idea was to make sure the people who were in their shops and homes heard their cry for help. Inside the vehicle Aline Choisy kept informing the people that they have had enough and that Robert Romney did nothing wrong for the Recteur to reproach him. Choisy said the people of St. Martin have taken a decision and that decision will be upheld at all cost. "We have decided that Romney is not leaving St. Martin and our elected people would have to do what is necessary to make sure the people's wishes are kept. Romney they said have been working effortlessly to implement bilingual education on the French side which is aimed at improving the education system.
In an invited comment Mayor Albert Fleming said that the committee needs to do more to get to the people. Mayor Fleming said that they have to handle this matter as if they were campaigning house to house. "Make sure you get into the Quartier's and the homes and inform the people of the situation. Not everyone reads the newspapers or listen to the radio. Make contact with the people because one handful of people will not move the French Government. "Right now the people of St. Martin don't care what happens. The committee has to also find a way to get to the children who could convince their parents to come out, the adults have their agendas but their children can change it". Mayor Fleming said another idea is to hold a march such as this one on a Sunday when people are at home and not working. They have to also invite everyone that could walk and the students would also be able to participate in the protest.
Fleming said Romney is a St. Martiner and he has worked for many years with the Education Nationale. Second to that Romney was sent here to do a job which was to implement bilingual education. Mayor Fleming said Romney could not complete his task in two years and he cannot understand why the Recteur wants to stop him half way.
Protestors Demands Answers from Elected—Council Meeting Suspended.At the Collectivity a territorial council meeting was in process when the marchers arrived there. The Support committee said it was necessary for them to walk into the meeting hall and make sure the elected officials do what is necessary to force the Recteur to respond to them.
Several of the protestors made it clear to the council that they need to pack up and go home if they are not able to represent the people who elected them. "Send them home, send them home" chanted some of the protestors in the Salle de deliberation.
Aline Choisy posed two questions to the council mainly to President Frantz Gumbs who was presiding the meeting and Senator Louis Constant Fleming who was also part of the council meeting. "Today we are faced with a serious problem since the Recteur wants to remove Romney from St. Martin even though he was nominated by two ministeries. "We want to know if the President got any response from the Recteur as to the reasons why he wants to remove Romney from St. Martin. We also want to know if Romney killed someone or what has he done wrong Mr. Senator." Choisy said the Recteur sent a letter to Romney telling him his competences has been largely recognized and they want those large competences to remain here. "We want to know if these elected officials who voted a motion only voted because they had to or if they were convinced that Romney has to stay on St. Martin." Choisy called on the councilors to take out their blackberries and call their contacts who they said they have in Paris namely the UMP. She said the elected officials namely the senator has made a number of promises when he asked for Romney's file.
Territorial Councilor Louis Mussington said when there is disrespect there is no other alternative but to stand up boldly and demand respect. Mussington pointed out to the President that the arête did not have the 'signatures du delegation" and that is an insult to the people of St. Martin. "Each and every one of you in this council said Romney was the best person to enhance education on St. Martin. Secondly we cannot understand how the subordinate of the Minister could could send Romney a letter to remove him. Most of all we as elected people have all voted on a motion and to date the Recteur has not responded." Mussington declared.
Furthermore, he told senator Louis Constant Fleming that he asked for a dossier to take to the Palais de l' Elysees to defend Mr. Romney and to date the senator has not reported back to the people. "Mr. Senator since your return you are somewhat silent and we need answers today. We want you all to take out your blackberries and call those in the UMP and Palais de l' Elyees to get us some answers. "Take out your blackberries and call your contacts in Paris and the Overseas Ministries." Mussington and Choisy both demanded.
President Frantz Gumbs immediately suspended the council meeting that was in process to make some phone calls to get the required answers.
President Frantz Gumbs confirmed that to date the Recteur has not responded to his letter neither has he received any response from the Minister of Overseas or the Minister of Education.
Senator Louis Constant Fleming also informed the protestors that he already indicated to the Minister that the people of St. Martin would not accept for Romney to be removed. Mussington immediately told the senator to stop playing games with the people of St. Martin since he said that he would have used his contacts in Palais de l' Elyees to make sure Romney remains on the island. "We need to know what you did for Romney and education Mr. Senator. You said you were ready to defend the cause, you took a dossier and you went to Paris now tell us what transpired there." Mussington demanded. Aline Choisy also informed the council that the President of the Republic is receiving a footballer and she cannot see why St. Martin could not get the President of the Republic to receive them.
Leader of the RRR Alain Richardson also addressed the president telling him that there comes at time when a decision has to be taken. Richardson said efforts have to be made to made to meet with the Minister to make clear St. Martin's position.
"It is known that the wheel that squeaks is the one that gets oil and unless the president and the senator lead this protest then nothing will happen. Richardson said that St. Martin have seen the response of the State when they took away the Octroi de Mer and the effects of the tax department who is not holding up to their responsibilities. He said despite the examples it seems that the elected are not learning. Richardson said while the senator said if it takes him marching the streets to keep Romney on the island he would do it but to date that did not happen. He said the people can no longer be taken for rides.
"Use this as an opportunity where the stick is pushed in the door to get answers."
President of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs also indicated to the council that the schools are under the competences of the Collectivity and if it means closing them down until an answer is given then "damn" it lets do just that Mr. President.
After a moment of silence the protestors allowed the president and senator along with a delegation from the support committee to leave the sale deliberation to make some phone calls to the Minister of Overseas Affairs and Minister of Education.
It was understood that the Recteur did respond to Deputy Victorin Laurel informing him that the removal of Romney was administrative procedures and that Romney would still be at St. Martin's disposal.
Louis Mussington said that so far the demands of St. Martin has not been met and when they called the Recteur demanding that he answers the territorial council they were told that he would be visiting St. Martin on June 30. Mussington said this is no news to the people of St. Martin since they already knew of the Recteur's visit. A plan of action will be determined on Friday as to how the committee plans to deal with the Recteur and his delegation next Wednesday.
