Donette Simon, one of the two brave women who started “Freedom Fighters ForAntigua and Barbuda,” talks to Trumpet News about the organization’s beginnings.
Part 1 of this three-part article goes into its history; part 2 dives into the pivotal events of August 08, when police unleashed tear gas on protestors, resulting in the founders’ arrest; and part 3 delves into the social group’s plans and visions.
This non-profit, non-governmental group was founded in July 2021 by ShenellWilliams and Donette Simon, who share similar social worries about the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccination mandates.
In late July 2021, Simon posted a video on her Facebook page showing a man being harassed unfairly by a police officer in the United States, with the remark, “Antigua is progressively turning like Communist-recognized North Korea.”
Her post piqued the interest of Williams, who had similar thoughts. Under the post, they both began speaking about the Antigua and Barbuda government’s strict vaccination laws.
Donette, who believes herself to be a private individual, discreetly maintained the discussion with Shenelle via text messaging. The topics covered included not being allowed to dine in restaurants without being vaccinated, as well as working in the public sector, hospitality, or the food and beverage industry.
The fact that public employees would have to pay around $300 for their PCR test fueled their way to fight for the voiceless. By protesting against what they viewed as an attack on people’s freedom of choice.
“Look at the calendar right now,” Shennel said. The march was quickly scheduled for August 8th. “On that day, we saw children, the elderly, Rastafarians, and Christians all uniting for one common goal: our people’s rights,” Simon explained.
Part two of this article’s trilogy delves into Simon and Williams’ experiences of being tear-gassed by police during the march and arrested a few days later.
