N7 between French Quarter and Le Galion is blocked for a protest today, both directions.

That will make a lot of people happy.

Back in October when the N7 was blocked in the French Quarter I posted a comment about how blocking roads could negatively impact the businessmen and the tourist industry on the Island. I posted that this type of disruption of traffic by protesters was setting a dangerous precedent. My comment was called "ridiculous".
Looks like there are some big ships in port toady.

Nothing like biting the hand that feeds you.

SXM Wendell

What are the stated issues they've been unable to resolve? Is this about the remaining tenants in the new construction on Orient?

I left just in time.

They have a right to protest and this is how they do it. Not a 'dangerous precedent' at all. This is their home. We are visitors. Visitors who are 'inconvenienced' and angry about legitimate protests need to get over themselves.

Hi, will be interested in what the protest is about.
Guessing the location will stop cruise taxi loads getting to Orient via the shortest route vs a full shut down of the Fr side. Wonder if the cruise ships knew in advance and they could let passengers know?

J&B

It's about the high rents and unfinished work of the new Orient Beach buildings.

The protest is about the new Orient beach restaurants...Rent, not up to French code, no bars, no roofs, cost, unacceptable 3 yr contract, length of time people out of work (8 months) high cost of project etc. Road is blocked from the Cadisco Gas Station to Spring in French Quarter. No entry or exit at this time. After a few hours, taxis and buses are usually allowed in & out, but you never know Usually last several days.

Hi, do you mean the Cadisco just north of Orient?
If yes then a complete block to any traffic in or out of Orient
J&B

Who decides which cause is legislate?

Yes, complete block in and out of Orient. You can park somewhere and walk in, if you choose.

I take a much different view on this. Blocking a public road is not a legitimate way to protest. It presents a very real safety issue as well as an economic one. We are much more than visitors,we are the very lifeblood of this Island. They have nothing else. Simply because someone has an issue with a governmental policy or decision does not grant licence to create safety concerns and adversely affect other people's livelihood.
An inconvenience is the store not having your favorite wine. This is much more.

Cheers

How late are the closures lasting? My family and I arrive Friday late afternoon and are staying in Orient Village. We have six people plus a 2 year old, and a lot of baggage. There will be no walking in.
I wonder what the owners of the open businesses on Orient are thinking or doing. I would be pissed if people were blocking my revenue stream from getting to me.

I talked to a few workers at Club Orient and they had to walk in this morning.

Someone who was leaving today said their plan was to catch a cab to one side of the protest, disembark and board another cab on the other side of the protest.

What a mess.

How many people are in this protest? One way or another my van is getting to my condo.

It should be over by Friday. They usually last less than 24 hrs. It's a common occurrence in France and St. Martin.

Thanks Naked. Let's hope so. While I understand their frustrations and I know they have a right to protest, blocking public roads and pissing off the very people that you want as customers, is not the way to do it.

I for one believe they have this right to protest. When the gov't ignores all other means of negotiation the only way to get their attention in certain cases is to make a very public scene.

I understand that tourism is the lifeblood of the island i disagree that they should just suck it up and take what they get because they dont want to inconvenience the tourist. That attitude is the way to get the people serving you on the island to quickly not care about level of service and do the bare minimum. If anything we (the tourists) should be supporting them when they are wronged so they understand we are with them and not just looking at them like "the help"

Very thoughtful post and I agree with you on some of your points.

This is a typical means of protest here and one of the few they have at their disposal. As a visitor caught up in it I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate being involved and inconvenienced but I get their plight and I respect it.

If this is the end product of the total fiasco that was imposed on the OB business people by the government, I don't blame them at all for being pi$$ed, as inconvenient as their actions may be to the average tourist.

I also agree that these protests are generally of short duration so I'm thinking it will be over before most even know it happened. Hopefully, those there can rearrange their needs and plans and work around it.

Sometimes on vacation we have to suck it up and deal with things. This, I'm thinking, will be one of those times. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

It is the height of arrogance to assume as outsiders that we have all the facts to draw any conclusion or take sides. If these protests break the law or endanger public safety then the appropriate action needs to be taken. We as tourist have no business in the internal affairs of the island. Our interests are well represented by the business and tourism industries.
This does not represent a condescending attitude as you imply, quite the opposite. It respects the rights of both sides to work it out and mind our own business.
Cheers

I am not saying we have a right to take sides but we do have the right to stay out of the way and allow them to protest. Not sure in what way they are threatening public safety, i am very sure if it was an ambulance or police they would move to allow them through. Inconveniencing some tourist is not public safety.

Did not meant to come across condescending so apologize if it did.

As I am not versed in the laws of SXM, can someone tell me how blocking a public road is legal? And why aren't the other business protesting the protestors?
If they are blocking the road, and will not allow me to get to my condo, and my daughter needs to eat or nap, I will be beyond mad. I'm not an activist who is going to cheer their cause while my daughter cries. I'm a tourist who worked hard for my money, to pay to come to their island and spend money at their businesses. Protest to the side of the street, and I will support your business. Block me from entering and you will never see a dime.

there is no side of the road there and we have plenty of protests in the US where they block the roads, we just have the luxury of having multiple ways around things usually whereas they have one road in essence

i understand about your daughter but these people are talking about the ability to even have the chance to work hard for their money which they most certainly do.

Visit Canada ...protests do take place . Most recent road blockage in Toronto involved the taxi industry protesting the unregulated Uber ride business . Not very popular here either with locals and tourists . If one decides not return to Toronto , Montreal or Orient ...that is their choice ...
While in Sxm I am so relaxed ..it really doesn't matter ...

If I was there I would not care one bit about missing a trip to Marigot or to Grand Case... I would, however, be incredibly upset to either arrive and be unable to get to the condo I rented in Orient Village or to miss my flight because I couldn't get to the airport... Happy to play along as I generally agree that the vendors are getting the shaft... but not happy to miss a flight or be left homeless in a foreign country

To do that in the US, you need permits, and authorization, or you will land in jail. They are not just protesting, they are blocking the way for people to get to their homes.
I just know that if after 14 hours of travel, if that protest is still going on, and they won't let us through, there are going to be issues.

MARIGOT—The main RN7 between the Gendarmerie in French Quarter and the Cadisco Station in Orient Bay has been closed off with barriers from early this morning as the local tenants of the new Orient Beach restaurants stepped up their on-going protest against the Collectivité. Only emergency vehicles and ambulances have been allowed to pass.
The two blockades meant tour buses were unable to access Orient Beach and residents in the beach area were unable to exit with cars. One group of tourists on their way to the airport was escorted through the French Quarter blockade. The tenants indicated they had decided to join forces with the collective “Saint-Martin Wake “up to not only bring attention to their plight on Orient Beach but numerous other unresolved issues as well; namely the zoning plan PLU, 50 pas Géometriques, Le Galion, Grand Case Beach and Grand Case Airport etc.

There was not a great amount of supporters at either location. Protestors are waiting for elected officials to arrive in an attempt to resolve the stand-off. However First Vice -resident Guillaume Arnell is off island, and reportedly so is Vice-President Wendel Cocks. By 11:00 am no elected official had arrived on the scene. The protestors say they are committed to the action and will block more roads if they cannot get a meeting with the Collectivité.

Préfète Anne Laubies offered to meet with the protestors on March 15 however this was rejected. The Préfète is now meeting with the protestors today at 2:30pm in the company of President Aline Hnason and Collectivité officials

not true, i have seen many protests in the us take place with no permits and as you can see from the most recent posts the people in the area are joining in so it seems they are unhappy with recent moves by the gov't. I understand your not wanting to be inconvenienced but this is these peoples lives

Is this a reply to me? All I did was post the newspaper article. I'm not inconvenienced at all, in fact, I agree with the protest. Must be you were referring to someone else's comment?!

not not at all naked, was to the post right before yours. Thanks for the info. Getting pictures from the protest as we speak and i will post.

nd pictures. Sorry they are sideways

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hph...amp;oe=5755BA2F

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hph...amp;oe=5761A667

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hph...amp;oe=578D39AE

We were on Orient today. Pretty dead. There were several cruise ships in port that had to go to some
other beach. Maybe that was good for the Dutch side. Several bars that have been open could not today because they could not get there. Kon Tiki opened but closed early. Sad for the owners that are there.

not getting to the airport would be more than an inconvenience for me - lost $$ due to having to find a new flight and the potential of being in trouble at work if I don't make it home on time - we have only one or two options flight wise as we come from the MidSouth, so it's not like we can just go later... so to say that it is simply an inconvenience is not entirely true...

however, again I generally sympathize with the protests and hope that the vendors get some relief, though I think it is unlikely

I hope they get some positive results. What the government has done to them is not right.

we shall see. I agree on the flights and it seems based on the post from Naked that they are letting some through with police so i am sure it can be handled but it is not easy for sure. As others have said, as in France, the protests usually dont last too long.

the huge electro music festival begins today/night with some venues in Orient...what a disaster this will be for the event organizers, and ticket holders and the supposed 1500 tourists who are flying in for this event...MANY were on my plane coming in yesterday

i would be be shocked if it goes on past this afternoon. would probably wrap up and start again tomorrow if they dont get to meet with the gov't official they want to meet with