The protest against the Government’s coronavirus vaccine mandate policy and health pass turned violent in Guadeloupe as one building was set ablaze by some protestors who tried to loot the businesses. The building is located in Pointe-à-Pitre, the island’s largest city.
The island’s fire service official stated that out of 6 buildings, 4 have been fully destroyed due to early morning reported fire. The official said that this fire was set by some youngsters who attempted to rob the businesses.
“Residents of the city are living in fear”, Patrick Karam, Regional Advisor of Île-de-France, stated and encouraged the efforts by the fire service. Patrick Karam is Guadeloupe born.
Patrick Karam said, “Since 8 pm, Pointe-à-Pitre has been delivered to the thugs who set fires in the streets, break shops and terrorise the population. The fire was set by the thugs at 02:17 am in a building on Rue de Nozieres in Pointe-à-Pitre. It all started to burst into flames. My family, my neighbours, my friends left their houses to avoid burning. Firefighters arrived at 3 am! Nightmare! We are no longer in France! The Republic has abandoned us!”
Several streets have been blocked across the Guadeloupe that has become a barrier for many essential supplies across the French overseas territory.
The protestors also stopped the medical staff in Pointe-à-Pitre University Hospital from accessing the facility. The hospital is operating under pressure as half of the staff that was unvaccinated is not allowed by the hospital authorities to work until they get vaccinated.
On Friday, the Government declared a curfew in the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe after experiencing civil unrest in the past 5 days while protesting against COVID-19 protocols, during which barricades were burned in the streets, after which the firefighters and doctors walked out on strike.
Guadeloupe is one of the islands in the region hardest hit by COVID-19.
It has recorded 54,854 cases and 822 deaths since March 2020.
As of 12 November 2021, a total of 262,280 vaccine doses have been administered in the territory.
