There is a spectre haunting Jersey politics; it is the spectre of the Haut de la Garenne and child abuse scandal. Jersey’s Establishment continues to be troubled by an issue that they have sought continually to close down as a political issue yet one that reappears in many new guises. That the inauguration of a new Bailiff should occur accompanied by popular protest is without historical precedent. It is the sign of a crisis; of the rift that is opening up between the People and the rulers.

It was small, but it was vocal with chants, whistle blowing and drumming. A core group of bout 10 demonstrators, with Senator Syvret in their midst, stood apart beneath the statue of King George. They were not alone, as many sympathizers milled around or looked on discreetly from the benches and corners of the Royal Square not wishing to assume a prominent role, yet expressing solidarity with those more courageous. These were the demonstrators who had assembled in the Royal Square to protest at the inauguration of Michael Birt as the new Bailiff of Jersey on Thursday 9th July 2009.

The inauguration should have been a preeminent Establishment pageant – an assertion of power and authority. Instead the politically embarrassing issue of child abuse reared its head once again.

During the inauguration ceremony the demonstrator’s whistles were clearly audible inside the Royal Court. The select audience was made aware of protest throughout, but the interesting events occurred as they all trouped out after the ceremony into the roadway outside to form a column. They were all there: the Jurats in red, the Advocates in black, the boys of Victoria College CCF in blue and khaki uniform and the States Members en tenue bourgeoise. The funny hats were evident; the Lt Governor wore his black staff cocked hat with plumes; the Bailiff had his red Tocq, whilst other officials black ones. Were the devil to have cast his net …..

Jersey’s bourgeoisie suddenly found themselves being heckled by the lower classes and radicals; they did not like it. Not quite sure how to respond, a group of Advocates, lined up along the Royal Court road, embarrassedly started clapping in a show of support for the new Bailiff. A few musicians from the Band of the Island of Jersey that had obviously been strategically placed to mask the protesters' chants and whistles, had to play extra loud and repeat the same tune, but to little avail.

Here was a fine juxtaposition of the divide that exists within Jersey society. On one side were the protestors, many themselves victims of abuse with origins in Jersey’s working poor and on the other side the Establishment of Crown Officers, assorted judges, lawyers, the Council of Ministers, States Members and government officials. The contrast was stark.

At the heart of the protest was the divide within Jersey society between its rich and poor; its rulers and the People. The demonstration was above all a protest for social justice. It may yet be recorded as a day when ordinary people made their own history and upstaged the elite.

NB MEDIA COVERAGE

At the time of posting we wait to see how the JEP deals with the protests.
This will appear in the Friday edition of the paper. Expect hostility towards a renegade Syvret. We predict an editorial full of tendentious rhetoric about a small minority of proles not showing enough deference to the natural leaders of society.

The coverage by Channel TV in its Channel Report was sympathetic and even humorous. It including an interview with Senator Syvret, and noted the evident discomfort of the Advocates dutiful clapping, whilst reporting that the band played on and on and on, in a hopeless bid to parry the noise of the protestors.

BBC Channel Islands was more problematic. It failed to achieve a balanced report that explained to the public the reasons for protest. However, this is consistent with their coverage of the 8th March 2008 Time4Change Rally which was extremely partisan in favour of the government and hostile to the protestors. The editorial line and tone of the TV side is always more firmly pro government and critical of dissent than BBC Radio Jersey. This is curious given that they are supposedly the same organisation.

IMAGES OF THE DAY




PROTESTERS


THE PAGEANT - THE BAILIFF, THE MACE AND A TANK CORPS REPRESENTATIVE


UNRUFFLED - THE INTERIM CHIEF MINISTER SEEKS ADVICE FROM THE REAL CHIEF MINISTER


PLACARDS SAY IT ALL

[Submitted by Demon]