Jamaican campaigners go to court to block beach privatisation

Campaigners in Jamaica are heading to court next week to try to prevent the government from cutting off access to more of their beaches. The legal battle is being led by the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (Jabbem), created in 2020 after community members clashed with police in violent protests over the closure of Mammee Bay.

Five court cases will begin later this month to try to prevent the privatisation of Mammee Bay and Little Dunn’s River in St Ann, the Blue Lagoon in Portland, Bob Marley beach in St Andrew, and Flankers/Providence beach in Montego Bay. Jabbem says ceding shorelines to hotel chains enriches private investors and benefits tourists and outsiders while depriving Jamaicans who depend on the sea for their livelihoods, leisure and health.

Devon Taylor described the cases as a fight for survival: “The sea is the only source of wild food in Jamaica.

Jamaica, St Ann; Portland; St Andrew; Montego Bay

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