We want Kartel, say St Lucian youth on Facebook

EVEN as the government of the sister island of St Lucia have taken the decision to ban controversial Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel from performing there at the end of this month, a pro-Kartel sentiment is building among the young people of that country.

The young people have taken to the social networking website, Facebook to garner support to petition the government.

The page -- We Want Kartel — was established on Monday and up to late yesterday afternoon 765 persons had signed up. The stated objective is to appeal the decision to ban Vybz Kartel from performing in St Lucia.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer was confimed for performances at the Hot FM-promoted Supreme Weekend show scheduled for April 30 and May 1.

The much-publicised performance had created heated public debate, particularly as Vybz Kartel had been banned from performing in a number of islands including Guyana, Grenada and most recently Barbados.

Only last year, fellow deejay, Mr Vegas was denied a work permit to perform in Grenada. Promoters in New Zealand also came under public pressure which resulted in Beenie Man being struck from the line-up of a major festival in that country.

Deejays have been coming under the microscope recently following the decision by the US Embassy to withdraw the visas and work permits of a number of these artistes.

Some of the comments on the page:

Really, what can Vybz Kartel contribute to crime thats not already there; duhhhhhhh hypocrite and bad-minded people they always think they better than everybody else why don't they just 'look pon the life they living' (eyes rolling)

The man is an entertainer, shedding the light on whats causing dem frustration with the youths dem... the authorities eh want to see it so rather blame the man for what they don't understand -- they afraid of his light... SHINE MR PALMER - SHINE!!!!!!!!

Not really a big fan of Vybz Kartel, and his "no show" at love fest in the later part of last year didn't help it, however I believe the government should STOP looking for a scapegoat like they always do and start facing and dealing with the real problem at hand.

Instead of banning the artiste or having him perform a few selected tracks, I believe promoters should allow for the proper screening of the patrons of these events, because in truth and in fact there are some very immature and senseless individuals who attend these events to deliberately cause unnecessary trouble.

"Yea man we as a nation need to stand up for wha we tink is rite I neva vote nor will i eva buh we put m in power still m mun eh doin wha deh pose to do i lookin to c d crime, teenage pregnancy, sex an all m ting stop in close i say #$@% dem mun gassa WE WANT KARTEL"