Jamaican court again blocks Montego Bay Pride events
The Jamaican Court of Appeal has issued a stay against the Supreme Court’s order allowing Montego Bay Pride to use of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre for events on Oct. 16, 18 and 19.
Montego Bay Pride issued this press release:
COURT ISSUES STAY OF MONTEGO BAY PRIDE USING MONTEGO BAY CULTURAL CENTRE
The Jamaican Court of Appeal has issued a stay against the Supreme Court’s order allowing Montego Bay Pride to use of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre for events on Oct. 16, 18 and 19.
October 16, 2019, — On Wednesday, October 16, 2019 the Jamaican Court of Appeal issued a stay of Montego Bay Pride hosting events at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre (MBCC). On Monday October 14, 2019 the Supreme Court had issued an interim order allowing Montego Bay Pride to use the venue pending the judicial review of the mayor of Montego Bay’s decision to bar Montego Bay Pride from using the MBCC.
As a result of the Court’s decision today the planning committee of Montego Bay Pride postponed the public forum scheduled for this evening from 7-9 p.m. The Court of Appeal will hold a hearing on October 17 to decide whether to lift the stay. If the stay is lifted Montego Bay Pride intends to hold events at the Cultural Centre on October 18 and 19.
Founder and Development Coordinator for Montego Bay Pride, Maurice Tomlinson, who filed the suit against the mayor on behalf of Montego Bay Pride, said that he is very disappointed in the stay because extensive plans were already in place for the event this evening and money spent to secure permits, etc. Advertising was also done to clarify the purposes of tonight’s forum. Tomlinson said: “This stay is a missed opportunity for dialogue in Montego Bay on the sensitive issue of whether Jamaica is ready for same-sex marriage. We hope that this conversation can soon take place as the voices of all stakeholders deserve to be heard.”
Time to come home?? Thinking of you. Marilyn