CATEGORY:CELEBRATIONS(MAY DAY) ----------------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA Tuesday May 01,2007 by Wallace J.A GRENADA - May Day celebrations were held in the ‘Big Parish’ of St. Andrew this year and based on reports reaching Grenadian Connection, this year’s activities (as in previous years) have not been marred by any incidents of unruly behaviour or violence. The march from Progress Park in Paradise to the Victoria Park in Grenville got off to a late start (around 11:00am).All the major unions on the island turned out and the sea of workers, wearing the different colors of their respective unions, completely inundated the streets of Grenville, dancing, waving placards, singing and chanting songs. They were accompanied by a mobile DJ blaring-out music and creating an almost carnival-like atmosphere in the process. This year, the workers were joined by a group calling itself ‘Citizens for the Defense of Grenada's Lands and Heritage.’ This group is vehemently opposed to the Grenada Government’s amendment to Section 6 of the National Parks and Protected Areas Act which gives the Governor General the right to allow for the sale of lands designated as national parks to private developers after consultation with the National Parks Advisory Council. The placards and chants of the more than 3,000 workers reflected issues of a current nature - such as the amendment to the National Parks bill and the Cricket World Cup – as well as the perennial issues of the rising cost of living and the need for an increase in workers’ salaries. After the march, workers gathered at the Victoria Park where they listened to addresses from various union leaders. The opening Prayer at the rally was done by Bro Pearson Blackman and Christopher Julien sang the National Anthem and the Union Song, ‘Solidarity Forever.’ Marvin Andall, President of the Grenada union of Teachers (GUT) gave the welcome address. He was followed by Sister Madonna Harford, President of the Public Workers’ Union (PWU) and head of Grenada Trade Union Council (TUC).Speeches were also delivered by Lydon Lewis of the GUT, Chester Humphrey of the Technical and Allied Workers’ Union (TAWU) among others. The messages delivered by the different speakers at the rally reflected the theme for this year’s celebrations: Safeguarding workers rights and demanding good Governance. The rally ended around 2:00pm and the workers from the different unions left for special locations such as Papa Ds at Mirabeau, Bain’s Upper Level, Mom’s Restaurant and The Water Club – just to name a few – for refreshments and other pre-planned activities.