East Kingstown MP Fitz Bramble has spoken about the pain of losing his son to gun violence, saying it’s not an experience that any parent should go through.
Bramble, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), will seek a second term in office in the next general election, widely expected by November.
He spoke at an event at Sion Hill where the NDP opened its East Kingstown campaign office.
Bramble told the audience that he had a serious message and that there would be none of his usual “jumping up”.
“One of the most troubling issues facing our nation today is that of crime and violence,” he said, noting that East Kingstown experienced the worst single act of gun violence in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
He was referring to the mass shooting on July 19, 2023, on Upper Bay Street, Kingstown, that claimed the lives of five males, including a 14-year-old schoolboy.
“Crime and violence against girls and women are particularly vexing and unacceptable,” he said.
The MP pointed out that in each of the last five years, East Kingstown has registered the gruesome killing of at least one woman.
“We will be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime,” Bramble said.
He was echoing a promise of the ULP before and after it came to office, which the opposition has accused the government of failing to keep.
“And we will mean it, not like some other people in 2001 when they came into office, ‘Oh, we going to be tough on crime and the causes of crime’,” he said in a mocking voice, adding, “and you have overseen and engineered the worst crime and violence reality in our country’s history.”
Opposition Leader Godwin Friday has publicly stated that Central Kingstown MP, Major St. Clair Leacock, would be the minister of national security if the NDP is elected to office.
“We will have an NDP minister of national security who will actually know what he is doing and who cares,” Bramble said, adding that crime is serious.
“I know this pain of crime personally. My own son was a victim of violent gun crime 11 years ago. And I know people have all kinds of things to say, but that is a wound that no parent should ever bear,” Bramble said.
Fitz-Allan Bramble aka Wizzy and Lil Terror became SVG’s first homicide victim of 2014 when he was shot and killed at a shop in Sion Hill, his home community.
“When I come on this block every Saturday morning, when I go on the block up Murray’s Village or up Rockies, my motivation is to make sure that no other young man faceswhat my son [faced],” Bramble said.
“I am not afraid to talk about it. Every single one of these young men on the block, I consider them as my son. I have to make sure that no other family faces this heartbreak,” he said, having asked Leacock to stand with him.
“We must replace hopelessness with hope, and we must give every young person a reason to believe in their future. Every young person deserves a chance to succeed, not a system that sets them up to fail.”
He said an NDP government will strengthen communities through local government.
“We will empower our neighbourhood watch programmes to keep families safe. We will support backyard and community gardens to build food security and resilience and bring our communities together,” Bramble said.
The MP said an NDP administration will reimagine the Rockies Community Centre as a centre of excellence for the elderly.
“… the people who built this country deserve to live their final years with dignity and grace.”
Bramble said an NDP government will “invest in the spirit of our people, in sports, in culture, because nation building is about more than just roads and bridges. It is about building identity and pride
“Brothers and sisters of East Kingstown and St. Vincent the Grenadines, as I leave this stage tonight, my mission is simple: to represent East Kingstown with integrity and professionalism and to fight for a better standard of living for every single one of you.
“… My vision is crystal clear. And that is to lead East Kingstown to prosperity. I have taken your voices with me to Parliament as I agitate and advocate for the needs of our community.
“East Kingstown is much more than just a job. This is my home. This is my roots. I am a representative who listens, who values your input. You have seen my work. You know my ability. I want to continue to work for you. I want to build East Kingstown constituency, but I cannot do it alone.”
He said the “movement is not about Fitz Bumble. It’s about you, the people of East Kingstown. You must take back the power which has been taken from you, Power to the people of East Kingstown.
“It’s about every mother choosing between groceries and having to pay their bill, every father hustling on multiple jobs to keep the lights on in the house, every young person dreaming of a better future. … Stop telling yourself nothing will change. It can change. If we make it change,” he said and urged constituents to register to vote and cast their ballots in the upcoming polls.
The general election is constitutionally due by February 2025. The ruling Unity Labour Party has selected Luke Browne, a lawyer and economist, to represent the party in East Kingstown.
Browne has failed on three previous attempts to win the seat, which the NDP has held since it was established 40 years ago.