Sodden people protest in the park

Monday 22 February 2016

There was no Swampy but there was plenty of swamp at a protest in the People's Park this morning.

Around two dozen hardy souls lied down on a piece of slippery plastic in front of a JCB to show that they are vehemently against the States building a new hospital on the site.

It was unashamedly a publicity stunt - perhaps fitting for a location that recently staged a monster truck show - and the media were all there to record the spectacle. Traditionally, Jersey does more protest than stunt but the organisers had made an effort: the imposing piece of machinery symbolising cold-hearted power, the masked Ian Gorst and Andrew Green engaged in tomfoolery and the chanting chorus behind a giant banner. We were just missing the standard loudhailer. 

Everyone was soaked but there was a sense of fun behind the serious message. The media snapped away while people rolled around in ever increasing pools of water while assorted dogs looked on in bemusement. And there were plenty of them - it seems the Island's canine population is equally against a hospital on the park. Where else would they walk, perhaps?

Afterwards, organiser Christian May - his coat and trousers appearing to have soaked up most of the park's surface water - said he was pleased with the outcome.

"We were prepared to lie down and get soaked to show that we will fight this on every occasion and I call on States Members to remove the People's Park from the list of options," he said, referring to the Constable Simon Crowcroft's proposition, due to be debated tomorrow. "We will be in the Royal Square to make our point again, when I hope to be a little drier. I believe the people of Jersey are behind us on this and I urge them to join me at 12.30 pm to make their feelings known to Members."

And with that, the plastic sheet was rolled up, the dogs continued on their walks and the JCB drove off, presumably to dig up another part of the Island. States Members always like to promote political engagement. One way, it seems, is threaten to dig up centuries-old green spaces. No doubt Mr May and his protesters hope that there are easier, and drier, ways.