Passing on tradition: mothers bring children to JLP mass rally

With bell in hand, one-year-old Kasian Hanson bounced on the hips of his grandmother, Pansyne Henry, who was dancing in the crowd at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mass rally under way in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew.

Travelling from the St Ann North Eastern constituency, Henry, who described herself as a "die-heart labourite", said it was important for her grandson to be exposed to the party she has supported all her life.

"I want him to know that Mr Michael Andrew Holness, our Prime Minister, is looking out for the youths in Jamaica so whenever I pass off, he will know the right choice to choose that he should vote for the Jamaica Labour Party," she said.

Latanya Headley, a JLP supporter from St Andrew North Western, said she was carrying on family tradition when she brought her eight-month-old daughter, Ocean Headley, to the mass rally.

According to the 27-year-old, she still has photos of being in the crowd at JLP mass rallies as a toddler, and wanted to ingrain the party's values in her only child from the onset.

However, she is less strident than Henry in mandating her child supports the party as an adult. She explained that Ocean's father supports the People's National Party.

"It will be her choice, mi nah put it pon har," she said. "When it's her time to vote, I hope she makes the right choice."

Meanwhile, an excited 10-year-old Daniel Parker told The STAR he was looking forward to seeing the Prime Minister at his first mass rally.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who is the main speaker at the rally, has confirmed that he will be announcing the date for the general election.

Parker, travelled from the St James West Central with his mother Carleen Cohan, who said she was happy to finally give him this experience. She said she intends to keep him close by her throughout the rally.

"Him eva hear people a talk bout it and neva experience, so him seh him wah come," she said.

- Sashana Small

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar