Independence requires eternal vigilance, says Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society

As the nation celebrates its 57th year of independence from British colonial rule, advocacy group, the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS) is urging Jamaicans to be eternally vigilant. 

The group led by Dr Wayne West vehemently opposes any attempt to trigger or normalise behavioural change within our culture in which it believes doesn’t “enrich the social, spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health of the society”.

In a release recognizing the country’s milestone – celebrated on August 6 each year – the group said: “We should be mindful that ‘the price of freedom is eternal vigilance’.

“In this respect, we should be aware of and resist those external and internal players who are attempting to undermine the natural family and threaten our fundamental freedoms for which some of our national heroes paid with their lives.

“We must cherish dearly our democracy and our hard-won rights to self-governance.  This generation must also recognise the public good of marriage and recapture the value of strong families as the foundation for a strong and independent nation. 

“In this way Jamaica will ‘under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.’”

The JCHS is known for its strong stance against general crime and violence, homosexual lifestyles, abortion, aspects of the National Identification System (NIDS) which the court ruled to be unconstitutional, among other issues.