Gonsalves diagnosed at QEH with concussion

Less than 24 hours after sustaining a head injury that resulted in him flying into Barbados for medical assessment, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Gonsalves confirmed that he suffered a concussion but “no neurological deficits”.

And as he continued his recovery from the injury inflicted by a protestor who was participating in a demonstration against legislative changes that would require certain categories of employees in the public sector to take the COVID-19 vaccine in order to work in specified “frontline” jobs, he insisted that he “would never submit to those who seek to subvert the will of the people expressed through democratically held elections”.

At the same time, Opposition forces in his homeland were adamant that the ruling United Labour Party (ULP) had lost touch with the masses and should “step back and call an election”.

Gonsalves arrived in Barbados late Thursday, hours after being struck in the head with an object as he walked through a crowd of protestors blocking the entrance to Parliament.

Two demonstrators were also reportedly injured in the incident and at least one woman was arrested in connection with the assault on the Vincentian PM.

In a social media post that was accompanied by a video of him leaving the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) here, the Prime Minister who will turn 75 this weekend, revealed that he was “cleared” after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

“By the grace of God almighty, I am doing well and on the mend. It is confirmed that there are no neurological deficits. However, I have suffered a concussion and must be monitored over the next four to six weeks. But, it could have been far more serious,” he said.

He expressed thanks to the QEH Medical Staff, the people of Barbados and “sister comrade” Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

The Prime Minister however held no punches, contending that the missile thrower who intended to “cause grave harm, even death” was not the only culpable party.

“There is one person whom I hold responsible, and it is not just the person who did the direct act. We can have our disagreements, but to cross the line into violence is unacceptable in a democratic society,” said Gonsalves, adding “by all means, exercise your right to protest, but that gives you no right to do violence toward anyone”.

“This incident exposes the work of those in opposition who continue to fuel hate and anger through continuous lies and misinformation, but they will not succeed in creating chaos and anarchy in our country,” added the statesman who also urged Vincentians to “be calm, lower the temperature and show the love that we are known for, avoid all thoughts of retaliation and revenge”.

Despite the turmoil on the streets, the Parliament passed the bill in the early hours of Friday morning, making it more difficult for persons to be exempted from COVID-19 vaccinations.

However, Opposition Leader Godwin Friday told Barbados TODAY that his National Democratic Party (NDP), in collaboration with labour unions and other pressure groups would be planning their next moves on the polarizing issue.

He also contended that whilst the Public Health Amendment Act appeared to be the breaking point for protesters, numerous social, economic and political issues were still brewing under the surface.

“It was a peaceful protest action until of course the incident occurred in which the Prime Minister was injured, and I want to say that I categorically condemn the act of violence in the injury of the Prime Minister,” Friday told Barbados TODAY.

“That is not something that we want to see in our political system and certainly it is not to be condoned or to be in any way excused and I hope and pray for his speedy and complete recovery as soon as possible.”

The Opposition Leader maintained that the issue of vaccinations should be a “matter of choice” based on sound information and wide consultation.

He however noted that “general economic hardship” had been magnified due to the pandemic and the explosive eruptions at La Soufriere in April, amid perceptions of political interference in the distribution of much needed supplies.

According to Friday, the alleged involvement of Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Karim Nelson and Government Senator Ashelle Morgan in the shooting of a local businessman in April, heralded the start of weekly protests outside the Vincentian Parliament .

“This has been a long period of difficulty created and exacerbated by the COVID crisis and also a volcanic eruption that has created various problems for people making ends meet here, and so those are matters that will continue to be taken up.

“It is my view and the view of our party and many people in the public that these matters will not be resolved with the present administration in office and we therefore join the call for the Prime Minister and the Government to step back and call an election,” the Opposition Leader said.

kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb