Community activist Aron Alexander says the constituency of Castries Central has experienced a wave of positive change, thanks to recent initiatives aimed at fostering unity, especially among the areaβs youth.
And he has commended the Member of Parliament for the area, Richard Frederick, for his support in making these efforts a reality.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force recorded 77 homicides in 2024, most of them young men aged 18-30. This alarming statistic prompted community elders to reach out to Frederick for support.
In a statement on Thursday, Alexander said recent activities have brought βhope, encouragement, and comfortβ to the youth in the area.
He made specific mention of a football competition held last Sunday in the Lower Mon Du Don area. The event brought together teams from inner-city communities such as Bagatelle, Bois Patat, New Village, and Wiltonβs Yard. The initiative, aimed at promoting peace between rival Sixx and Seven gangs and encouraging positive lifestyles among young men, was financially supported by Frederick.
βI was in attendance, and it felt like the youth in the inner city were just waiting to exhale,β Alexander said. βSome of them were fearful to walk in certain areas due to issues with other youths. I saw a war on this gang of Sixx and Seven, and the unity and love amongst the youth is prevailing.β
Alexander applauded Frederickβs efforts and offered his own support to help sustain the momentum.
βI am adding my voice as a community activist to say βbravoβ to our Member of Parliament, Honourable Richard Frederick. Well done.
“You, Brother Richard, are on the right track to bring back love and unity amongst the youth of the inner city. We, as more mature folks of our community, will work to help you in this venture.β
βThis is my community. I live there. So when itβs good, I will say itβs good without fear. I stand with you,β he added.
Earlier this week, Frederick emphasised the importance of sustaining the βPeace and Loveβ initiative, noting that ongoing creativity and dialogue with the youth are essential to its success.
βWeβre working with them to understand what will keep them engaged. The end goal is to ensure that every one of these young men leads a productive life with legally generated income,β he said.
Whah boy.l!!!!
Dey buy de ras fuh real.
Mr Alexander is too gullible. Not one of the gangs or the youth was encourage to speak out and denounce criminality. Not once did Frederick encourage the gangs and the youth to bring in their illegal firearms. And Mr. Alexander, I am putting it to you, that the gangs and the youth, will never bring in the illegal guns. And Frederick knows that. So what’s happening there is just temporary window-dressing, designed for the gangs and youth to get some free money, and for Frederick to use people like you, Alexander, to gain some fake political mileage.