Richard Currie, the outspoken Chief of the Accompong Maroons, made a stirring appearance at the People’s National Party (PNP)’s 86th annual conference held at the National Arena on Sunday. His presence and words left an indelible mark on the event.
Currie began his address with a candid acknowledgment of potential criticism. “They will say I am political but what yuh expect mi fi do?” he declared, standing firm in his role as a guardian of his community’s rights. His statement was met with enthusiastic applause from the orange-clad supporters who filled the arena.
A Call for Respect and Recognition
Taking to the stage, Currie decried the ongoing marginalization and disrespect faced by the Maroons. “We journeyed far, and we sojourned to deliver a message,” he stated emphatically, referencing the long-standing struggles and the resilient spirit of the Maroon people.
Currie did not shy away from highlighting his strained relationship with the Government. “The point is that we have been soliciting a government for three-and-a-half years and to date they have not responded to us,” he asserted. In contrast, he praised PNP President Mark Golding for his responsiveness and dedication. “Marky G has responded because he has vim, vigor, and vitality,” Currie noted. “This man is a true man, this man is as real as it gets.”
Addressing the Core Issues
Currie drew attention to critical issues such as poverty and crime, urging for unity among not just the Maroons but all Jamaicans. “For those who think they can undermine the rights of those who were here 287 years before, we have a sad, sad, message to deliver in a few months’ time because the people are tired,” he remarked, hinting at the anticipation of early general elections.
He pointedly stated that his address at the conference was not politically motivated but was rather an assertion of the Maroons’ presence and their shared goal of mutual respect and peace. “I stand before you as a proud representative of Jamaica’s first nation,” Currie said, reinforcing his desire for unity and collaboration among all Jamaicans.
An Open Invitation
In his closing remarks, Currie extended an olive branch to Golding and the PNP. “When the PNP assumes state power, you also have a home in Accompong bredda,” he said, signaling a hopeful future of cooperation and mutual respect.
As the conference concluded, it was clear that Currie’s words had struck a chord with many. His powerful message was a clarion call to not only uphold the rights of the Maroons but to strive towards a more united and respectful Jamaican society.
