Peace Concert in Mo-Bay March 4

The Flankers Peace and Justice Centre, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security, will host an Information Fair and Peace Concert as part of activities to observe Peace Day (March 4), in the tourist capital, Montego Bay.
Director of the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre, Marilyn McIntosh-Nash told JIS News that the objective of both activities was to promote peace within the community, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent months.
“We hope to build on this interaction in some way,” she said, adding that in the process, fences would be mended by some of the factions within the community. Elaborating on the information fair, which will commence at noon at the intersection of Headquarters Drive and Central Avenue in the second city, the Director informed that tents would be set up to accommodate the various entities expected to showcase their services, such as the HEART Trust/NTA, National Youth Service (NYS) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
“We are hoping that more persons will come away being more aware when provided with information from these organizations,” Mrs. McIntosh-Nash said. “We have also invited a number of schools in and around Montego Bay to come and see what these organisations have to offer,” she added.
In terms of the peace concert, the Director pointed out that it was scheduled to commence at 2:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. at the same venue as the information fair. She also noted that the ‘Peacemobile’, which is a truck that converts into a stage, would be used to host an impressive list of local and national talents, with popular entertainment personality, Jerry D as host.
“There will be some Rising Star artistes on the show, including 2006 winners, One Third as headliners. There will be community talent from Flankers and neighbouring communities on display. We will also be showcasing the Flankers Community Marching Band and the Heights Marching Band, which is also a part of the whole social intervention programme in Montego Bay,” she said.
The Ministry of National Security, through its Citizen Security and Justice Programme, is the main organizer of the talent aspect of the event.
According to the Director, the Ministry has been instrumental in terms of getting community artistes to audition and is also assisting financially.
“We are encouraging everybody to come out to see what we have to offer and at the same time, have a good time. Hopefully, these events will help in changing some of the mindset of some of the persons who are getting themselves involved in negative activities,” she said.
Several activities will be held across the island to observe Peace Day, which will also bring to an end Peace Month. The highlight will be the Peace March in Kingston, scheduled to depart from three points – Mandela Park in Half-Way Tree, Bob Marley Statue near the National Stadium and the Portia Simpson Miller Square at Three Miles – at 3:00 p.m. and end at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) car park in Downtown Kingston.