A call for “youth power and political renewal” opened the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) Youth Ignite Weekend over the weekend, as speakers urged young Barbadians to demand change and hold leaders accountable.
Janine Butcher, president of the Young Democrats — the youth arm of the DLP — declared: “The youth of Barbados are no longer silent on matters of interest.” She was speaking at the National Youth Rally held at Savvy on the Bay, Bay Street, St Michael, as part of the party’s Youth Ignite Weekend.
Butcher said: “The Young Democrats is not just a political group. We are a movement towards change. We are a movement built on fairness, accountability and opportunity for all. We are here to lead, to inspire and to create a Barbados where every young person has a chance to thrive and to grow.”
She emphasised: “Change does not come to those who wait; change comes to those who rise, those who organise and demand better.”
Butcher promised to amplify youth voices, champion their ideas and hold leaders accountable. Underscoring that “leadership is not a one-person job”, she noted: “It requires all of us to get on board.”
Adding: “We will continue to challenge outdated systems, push for policies that empower youth, create jobs and strengthen communities. We will show that the youth of Barbados are not just waiting on the sidelines.”
Calling for political change, candidate for The City, Dale Rowe, said: “It’s time for the Barbados Labour Party to step aside and let the Democratic Labour Party take over and do proper service to the people.”
He assured: “We are to make sure that every Barbadian has a proper opportunity to survive, to put food on the table and to continue to be good citizens.”
Another speaker, Zico John, highlighted the challenges faced by young people and the need for positive influences. “We have to put things in place to help our young people be nurtured in the right things and to protect them.”
He urged voters to reject “cornbeef and biscuit politics” and demand real change.
“We need improvement, and we need change — and if you won’t change, we will change you,” he said.
John also proposed tax incentives for businesses that employ at-risk youth and ex-convicts as a measure to curb rising crime.
Kenyan-born activist Valentine Githae told the audience: “Africa, like the Caribbean, is on the edge of a new awakening.” She encouraged the crowd to reflect on their role in shaping the country’s future.
“Everyone plays a role in defining the revolution of your country,” she said.
Githae reminded attendees that real change comes through participation. “Your voices will be heard when you vote, when all of you take part in the electoral process — especially young people.”
She compared the situations in Barbados and Kenya, pointing to the Cybercrime Bill, which she claimed was designed “to silence dissent in this country”. She noted that a similar bill had been passed in Kenya two weeks earlier.
She concluded: “Tonight, as we stand here, we have to say that we continue to fight for liberation, we continue to fight for Barbados — and the party that is going to champion this is the DLP.” (STT)
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