T-shirts to Unite Both Jamaican Parties Before Elections

Saturday 08th of September 2007 03:53:36 AM

T-shirts to Unite Both Jamaican Parties Before Elections

Historically, political elections in Jamaica have led to violence, but now as two political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party, struggle to earn leadership roles, one t-shirt designer is hoping to unite both parties so peaceful elections can take place. The ‘One Jamaica T-shirt’ was created to unify both parties and to make people realise that fair election practices are the only way to ensure the rights of the people are being met.

“We would never ever want to see a repeat of the bloodshed that took place during the 1980 election. People were being slaughtered for no other reason other than that they were affiliated with a particular political party. Both political parties were unable to stop the mass killings because of the stigma that became attached to partisan politics in Jamaica. The people who are in their 30s are the ones who were the first to really gravitate towards the T-Shirts, but since, many of the youngsters have caught on, making our primary market those between the ages of 18-30,” said designer Daniel Jones.

Jones is hoping that his T-Shirts, which feature both party logos under a banner that says ‘One Jamaica’, will help to solidify the need for elections that are held safely and legally so everyone can benefit. “For the first time in Jamaica's history both political party supporters will be able to wear a T-shirt, which displays the names of their party and the name of the rivals party symbolising ONE JAMAICA,” Jones went on to say.

Jones’ clothing company, Jones Jamaica, has been in operation since 1999 and creates T-Shirts that represent the Jamaican way of life.

(c)Rita Mezzela, www.sxc.hu