The two pillars erected by Sandals Grande on the northern entrance to the hotel’s property has again come under scrutiny from the public. The two, ten foot tall structures were erected on the beach months ago. The Sandals chain has maintained that the pillars do not seek to deny locals access to the beach.
But on May 4, that section of beach is due to receive a lot more local activity than it would like. According to Facebook bloggers, a "march on the beach; march for our beaches" protest will take place tomorrow. The group of 294 members—which includes popular musicians, deejays and even a daughter of the late prime minister-named "the Sandals Grande pillars need to go" and was created by the son of a former government minister and is classified as persons with "common interests, beliefs and causes."
There comes a time when a society must stand up for things it cherishes," read the group’s description. "There are already people, citizens of this country, who know not their rights and believe that the pillars, illegally erected by Sandals at Pigeon Point, demarcate that the beach in front of Sandals is private. Sandals applied to keep the pillars after the fact and their application was rejected.
"Therefore, these pillars are illegal and represent a form of neo-colonialism which is growing through the likes of large resorts. It is also gross disrespect to the people of Saint Lucia.," it said. "We need to stand for something or else there’ll be nothing to stand on for or stand on very soon. Are we ready for national action?"
Caption: These two concrete pillars still stand on the Pigeon Point Beach.