Barbados Prime Minister Calls for National Unity Amid Surge in Violent Crime

In her appeal for national unity, Mottley reminded Barbadians of their history of coming together in times of crisis.

“But my friends, we must now come together again to confront the tendency towards violence in this country, a violence driven by anger very often and the inability or unwillingness to resolve conflicts peacefully,” she said.

The prime minister’s call to action includes a request for religious services across the island to offer prayers for those affected by violence and for the strengthening of resolve among citizens. She also suggested that radio and television stations play appropriate music for reflection during the five-minute pause on Saturday.

Her message emphasised the need for collective action and a recommitment to the values that have traditionally defined Barbadian society.

“Where we must step up individually and collectively is in our commitment to take back our common peace in Barbados and to show love and respect to one another,” she said.

She identified a range of issues contributing to the rise in violent crime, including mental health challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, the influence of social media, and the desensitisation of youth to violence through video games and other media. But she also expressed particular concern about the prevalence of guns and drug abuse.

Urging citizens to be vigilant, she said: “If the bulging pocket in your son or your grandson’s or granddaughter’s or your best friend’s pocket looks like a gun, is shaped like a gun, it bulges like a gun, my friends it is most likely a gun.”

The prime minister also emphasised the importance of addressing drug abuse: “We have to confront this issue of the illegal carrying and use of guns in our country and the escalating use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, not just drugs.”

In her call for community involvement, Mottley encouraged Barbadians to speak up when they see signs of wrongdoing.

“Better to open your mouth now and talk,” she advised, “than to hold your belly and bawl.” However, she cautioned against vigilantism, stressing that justice should be left to law enforcement and the courts.

The prime minister’s address acknowledged the grief of families who have lost loved ones to violence. She mentioned a recent vigil, saying: “I saw the picture, the powerful picture today, of the three mothers in white as they carried their vigil out yesterday evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the others who have lost family.”

Mottley’s speech also touched on the need for a balanced approach to technology use among young people. She called for monitoring and limiting “excessive” screen time and exposure to violent content, noting that children are “spending hours on these devices, pausing only to eat and to drink and returning to the games where they have been killed multiple times for the day already.”

The prime minister’s address aimed to rally all sectors of society in the fight against violence. From religious institutions to summer camps, from families to community groups, Mottley emphasised that everyone has a role to play in restoring peace to the island.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb