St Vincent PM attacked during vaccine protest: Gonsalves expected out of hospital today

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St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who was hit on the head with a stone by a protester outside of St Vincent’s Parliament building yesterday , is expected to be discharged from hospital today.

His son Storm Gonsalves confirmed the situation to Guardian media yesterday after Gonsalves was struck on the right side of his head– inches above his temple– by a missile at 5.15 pm.

Gonsalves , 74 , had been entering the Parliament compound to attend a debate on proposed COVID -19 vaccine law when he was blocked by protestors.

His office stated they had responded to a call from the leader of SVG’s Opposition.

The attacker was among 200 protestors outside of the Parliament building who were picketing against proposed changes to the island’s Public Health Act.

It was proposed that the word “voluntary” would be removed from a section of St Vincent’s law that speaks to vaccination against an illness that triggers the declaration of a public health emergency– such as COVID-19.

CNW reported SVG’s Government was also moving to make vaccines mandatory for particular categories of frontline public sector employees.

Gonsalves had made it clear the proposals didn’t involve legal penalty/punishment for people who failed or refused to take the vaccine or do a COVID test .

But SVG’s main opposition New Democratic Party demonstrated against the proposed mandatory vaccination thrust.

Yesterday’s attack on Gonsalves was carried live on television with horrified viewers watching as a commentator suddenly declared loudly, “ Somebody just bust the Prime Minister head with a stone!! Somebody just hit the Prime Minister in his head with a stone!!”

Gonsalves did not fall or collapse, but was immediately covered by his big burly bodyguards who were shouting the order to “Shield! Shield!” as they protected his body with theirs.

He was quickly hustled away to safety and medical attention at St Vincent’s Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was met by his wife.

Storm said his father didn’t lose consciousness at any point,“But the missile broke the skin and he lost a lot of blood.”Photos showed a tired looking Gonsalves at the hospital with the right side of his white shirt front stained bright red with blood from the wound. He looked tired, but was sitting up.

Storm added: “He is in good spirits. He had actually wanted to return to the Parliament after the hospital but the doctors advised against it and he was being kept overnight ( Thursday night) for observation and to run some tests and he’s expected to be discharged (this morning),’’

“This is very unfortunate incident caused by reckless words and actions by political opponents. This is Opposition-linked organisation. It’s very distressing,”

“My father had been trying to leave the Parliament but they blocked his path and started throwing missiles. One of the rights that MPs have is the access to Parliament , people in St Vincent and the Grenadines fought very hard for that right to have a functioning democracy! And they tried to deprive him from entering the Parliament.”

Police investigations were on into the attack.

Up to 7.30 pm yesterday no one was held.

Storm said the Gonsalves family is “Obviously very concerned about the incident but we’re happy he is ok. Hopefully he’ll be discharged (today) and there won’t be anything further.“

A statement from Gonsalves’ office stated though Gonsalves had been physically assaulted and wounded by the Opposition demonstrators, he was recuperating and recovering.

The statement added, “He has reaffirmed that no lawless mob will prevent him from doing the people’s business in the seat of our democracy. The Prime Minister has welcomed all peaceful demonstration as a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution but has cautioned that legitimate peaceful demonstration should in no way impede Parliamentarians’ right of entrance and egress from the House of Assembly.“

”Moreover the use of violence in pursuit of political purposes is entirely unacceptable. We expect the perpetrators of the actual act of violence will be brought to justice. Such an act is to be condemned. Equally to be condemned are the instigators and back-room authors of this kind of violence.“

His father may take the day off today, But Storm added, “ I’m sure he will have a message to give later….one will be coming when he gets out and he will speak.’’

The Gonsalves family has many friends and colleagues in T&T who expressed concern about the incident, some adding that it was uncalled for.

Browne: T&T monitoring developments

Foreign Affairs Minister Amery Browne said, “We are e monitoring developments and has been in contact with SVG and Caricom’s secretary general. I have conveyed the concern and prayers of the people of T&T.”

UNC sends best wishes

UNC deputy leader Jearlean John said, “I would like on behalf of the UNC to offer our sincere best wishes to our Caricom colleague Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and wish him a speedy recovery as we strongly condemn this reprehensible attack on him.

All are entitled to the right of peaceful protest; however, violence must never be condoned and must always be condemned. Democracy is fundamental to our well-being and can only prevail with peace and respect.’’