St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—Chair of the National Carnival Committee, Shannon Hawley, is brushing aside suggestions that the police force’s recent announcement about cracking down on public lewdness will affect carnival activities.
The reassurance comes after the police, responding to a recent incident involving a minor, warned that they will not tolerate acts of public indecency in open spaces.
The force reminded the public that such behaviour is not only inappropriate but also illegal, noting that the law is explicit and enforcement will be strict.
Authorities highlighted three offences: incorrigible rogue, indecent behaviour, and indecent exhibition. Hawley was asked whether those warnings raised any concerns for Carnival and if discussions were held with stakeholders.
“I think the police was referring to a specific incident downtown at the bus terminal. Um, we have bikinis and beads, and we have full costumes, so it’s a very subjective topic, right? Whatever we, what do we consider as no behaviour? The police has not specifically indicated that any one carnival band or any one carnival troupe is engaging in such, but we have always encouraged our stakeholders to be responsible, enjoy, but enjoy responsibly. I’ve been asked the question several times before, what do we consider that to entail? If an individual decides to go downtown and have fun while parading and spending three thousand plus dollars to purchase a costume and be free for one or two days, some people consider that as lewd behaviour. Do I consider it as lewd behaviour? No. Um, but I know that the police were specifically responding to an incident down at the bus terminal, and that is something that we definitely do not condone, and we will be encouraging our participants to really, really act responsibly.”
Carnival officials have, over the years, faced criticism from several quarters over the style of costumes and the way revellers dance on the road.
In one past incident, several individuals were publicly called out for lewd behaviour at the circus following the grand parade.
