MARIGOT: --- The protestors that are supporting the Webster and Beauperthuy families that are facing the possibility of losing their lands blocked the road on Monday as they continue to put pressure on the State of France and the Collectivity of St. Martin to intervene in the ongoing land saga.
On Monday morning the family along with several politicians gathered on the property that is located next to Gedimat and just below Leader Price. On the scene was President Daniel Gibbs who spoke at length to Rudy Webster and his sons and other members of the family. Asked to comment on the ongoing land dispute President Gibbs said that the matter is a private matter since it is being handled in the court of law. Gibbs said that on Tuesday the Territorial Council will be meeting to discuss all matters related to land on St. Martin. The President said that the Webster land issue will be part of that meeting. He also said that even though it is a private matter he does believe that the local government could bring certain things to their attention.
Before the sun could rise, the founder of the Rassemblement Saint Martin Louis Mussington (RSM) arrived on the scene, and he remained there throughout the day giving the family the support they need as they stood up for their rights.
Mussington said in an invited comment he is of the option that this is an attempt by the French colonialist power to take away land from St. Martin’s people. Mussington said under those conditions no one on St. Martin should accept this type of injustice that is being done to them. He said now more than ever the people of St. Martin have a moral obligation which is to stand up and fight.
Also from the RSM was Julien Gumbs who was there in support of the family.
Also on the scene very early was Yawo Nyuiadzi who interacted with the protestors and then left. Nyuiadzi then returned to the location when the protest heated up. He was asked by the protestors to leave the scene because they allege that Nyuiadzi is responsible for stealing money and land from the people of St. Martin.
Cedric Andre and others from district four were also on the scene.
Jules Charville from the Hope Party came to the scene much later in the day. He, however, said that he was fully versed in the affair of Webster and Beauperthuy since he was there from the very beginning when they started the legal process.
Charville is of the opinion that the Collectivity took way too long to intervene, he said that he has two possible options that the family can use to get out of this unfair legal mess, one being is to start over the legal process because he felt there were several mistakes made, however, this option would cost the family a lot of money.
The second option Charville said is that the COM could intervene by saying they want all lands on St. Martin for St. Martin people, but this too would require certain things like having a project in place.
Up to the time this article is published the protest continues as the family said they were told that the President of the COM Daniel Gibbs, the State representatives, and the lawyers for the family that is based in Guadeloupe are busy in negotiations along with the court-appointed administrator. When these meetings are concluded and there is a concrete decision taken then it is expected that the President of the COM will return to the scene to update the protestors.
It should be noted and made clear that there are a number of Gendarmes on the scene controlling the traffic and assisting with keeping the peace. There has not been any type of power forced on the protestors.
In the meantime, the family and their supporters made clear that they will not budge or unblock the roads unless there is a concrete decision taken today, which is to completely cancel the planned auction scheduled for January 25th, 2022 in Paris.
