More Roadblocks/Protests Today??

Let's keep it civil. Below is what is in the Daily Herald today.

Article March 10

There is a back road to the Butterfly Farm and then into Orient Beach that many locals know about. It is probably easier than walking

I just tried to get to Orient Bay from Dawn Beach area (i am next to Westin Resort). Confirming the blockade is up, not as far north as it was yesterday.

This kind of information speaks well within this forum. Let's keep it civil without a political overtone. Thanks in advance.

Well written article. Reading between the lines, the end of the blockade is truly a wildcard.

I stayed up in Orient Bay area ladt year and loved it. Too bad. Well, got to deal with the cards that are dealt ... Goodbye Orient Bay, hello Mullet Bay.

Three ships docked at the Port of Phillipsburg right now with 10,000 to 12,000 passengers. One more arriving this afternoon with 3,000 more passengers.
If the roadblocks stay up the Dutch are going to make some money today.

The back route was blocked with boulders last summer.

As of 2 hours ago the gendarmes were there to prevent the blocking of the road

First time we've not stayed close to Orient and now we're stuck outside looking in.

Question: I'm in Orient bay and need to get my daughter from the Airport on Friday at 1PM? Any suggestions?

on Saturday I need to get my two other daughters to the Airport. Contingency ideas would be great!

3 day into our strangest visit so far.

Mbrott

My suggestion is that you wait and see what happens today. Hopefully things will be resolved today.

Seems like quite the mess and lots and lots of stuff to get resolved. Don't know if this is being civil or not, but I honestly can't imagine taking a week of annual vacation and paying a fair amount of money to encounter something like this.

Clearly the roadblock is a very powerful tool, but sad that effective plans were not in place for the transition.

I will be there at 4 PM tomorrow, in Orient Village. Hopefully things are resolved by then, otherwise I will keep you up to date with what I encounter.

OK, thanks. Anyone on the french side today, please give us an update when/if you can.

Message delivered at 2:58pm this afternoon via phone message center at the Simpson Bay Resort..."dear members and guests, please refrain from travel to the French side of the island due to civil unrest".…..just an FYI

I just checked with the security guard at Orient bay and you can access Orient from the Grand case side but not from Phillipsburg. That must be enough of an incentive to keep the buses away.

We were escorted on foot thru the roadblock last nite with luggage and $300 worth of groceries. Club Orient folk are doing so well considering the situation. Was a bit "unusual." Don't know who right, but shame to see effect on people who work and want to work.

this might be due to the huge music festival going on and many of the days/night based at Palm Beach

Sounds like a difficult situation, but glad you were able to get through somehow.

Since I am not familiar with any of the areas discussed, how does this affect those taking the Anguilla public ferry? Can the cabs get from the dock to the airport?
Can the cabs get from the airport to the dock?
What about the private water shuttles to/from the airport, does this have any effect on them?
Thanks for any info.
Ellen

I don't THINK if you're coming from the Dutch side that you will have a problem in terms of blockage to get to Marigot, unless you are taking a route that takes you through Orient, but my understanding is that the traffic everywhere is pretty messed up, at least today... The private water taxis should not be affected at all, going straight from the airport to Anguilla.

Kinda starting to look like Ferguson.

DH article here

SXM??? Wendell

Coming down on Saturday for a couple of weeks.
Guess Yvette's will have to wait a bit for us till this gets settled.
Oh well, we have Mark's, Mo's Snack shop and Le Grande Marche near us at the Divi.

That is ridiculous, if true, taking money to get people through the blockade.

Sadly, with the internet and the constant promotion of stuff such as Ferguson on US TV that many SXM locals watch, it does not surprise me.

Time for the island authorities (on BOTH sides of the island) to get a handle on this and QUICK!

I would also add that my flight was being announced as full and there are multiple empty seats, including 2 next to me. I am speculating there are some people who missed this flight and some of this might be the reason.

I wouldn't plan on going to mass on Sunday at St. Joseph's in the French Quarter either. There are boulders blocking the road up to the church.

Not true at all. It's a peaceful demonstration. Ferguson was not quiet or peaceful. It appears to be pretty much over now. The Gendarme cleared the people out about an hour ago. This happens quite frequently on the Island and nothing to get worked up about. Yes, it's a nuisance for us "locals" and I understand that it puts a damper on the vacationers, and I feel bad, especially if they only have a week vacation, but the people of St. Martin have a legal right to stand up for and support local businesses that are getting "shafted". I think some people forget that this is not the USA and the French culture supports this type of action. Don't get me wrong, I think blocking people from passing is wrong, but I do respect their right to do it. I really hope people don't cancel their vac plans or stop visiting the French side. They would be missing out on a beautiful half of the Island.
After I wrote this, the Gendarme riot squad did disperse the crowd with tear gas. This was done because some of the protestors were throwing stones. They tend to let the people demonstrate as long as it's peaceful. It's now over.

I was talking about people taking MONEY to get people through the blockade, not Ferguson. I should have been more specific. I edited my post.

Sorry Carol, It was another person that referred to Ferguson. Just hate St. Martin getting a bad name.

Staying at Mt. Vernon. Orient Beach was DEAD today. Pedros closed for the last 2 days. No one at Wakiki. I feel bad for the business people in this area as well as people trying to get into Orient Village. I heard road blocks until Tuesdays meeting BUT everyone has a different story.

Update

Gendarmes responded with teargas to disperse the crowd in French Quarter

Story here

throwing stones??? dispersing the crowd with tear gas??

I just guess your definition of peaceful is different than what I want to have my vacation days be.

And setting fires just like Ferguson

article here

Then you see tourists pushing thier luggage down the middle of the roar throufg this to leave. Personally I wouldn't expose my spouse to this. I would demand the hotel get us safely to the airport. Hey, but that is just me.

SXM??? Wendell

Doesn't look totally peaceful to me either. Burning trash, cars, rocks and extorting money?? I went to Orient for the first time in 3-4 years this trip. It may be 3-4 more years before I set foot on the French side if ever again.

And the part I don't understand is this started from some beach bars/restaurants didn't like terms of rent and uncompleted conditions of a few buildings. Wouldn't it have been better if they just didn't pay the rent and not occupy the buildings. Now there is a blemish on tourism on the French side that will affect everybody. So what positively did all the road blockage, throwing rocks and fires accomplish?

SXM??? Wendell

Publicity and not all good.

I honestly feel like a bad parent for taking my 2 year old to what, up until yesterday thought was paradise. I am spending $6k to go to damn near a war zone. The government apparently doesn't care what is happening and the people don't care what the implications are to the tourist industry. I will never return to the island.

We are scheduled to arrive Tuesday after missing visiting SXM last year. We will be staying in the Orient area and I am beginning to wonder whether coming is a good idea. Really don't want to have to worry about trying to get to and from the airport and to and from Grand Case for dinners--too many other places we can go including Hawaii without these kinds of hassles. Hope this site provide updates over the weekend.

Carol, who had to pay to get out? I didn't see that anywhere???

Please keep this thread going Carol. I will be following closely as we arrive on island. And to those who find out what the local
Protests are and any blockades, please keep everyone informed. Tomorrow will be rough.

Hi Wendy - this was included in the 2nd link:

"Reports of opportunist young people manning the barricades charging people money to go through are true."

I missed that - not good.

Any early reports from the island? Headed to O'Hare.

Roads are clear

A letter to the Daily Herald from a tourist who was on vacation during the protest-

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/opinion/letter-to-the-editor/56038-hostat-orient-beach

Great editorial........I'm sure the Dutch side will suffer from this also just in the loss of the $60.00 / head / round trip tax at the airport. Hope they can settle this quickly and quietly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

In chats with our cabbies, these folks have legitimate issues regarding land ownership/business rights that are being totally upended. We'd be in the streets too if it happened Here.

As I understand it, there are numerous issues all over the French side, from the Orient situation, long term land ownership, to the Grand Case beach umbrella and land ownership issues, to Le Gallion and the Nature Reserve. I'm not sure what the issues are in French Quarter, which I think are different, but it appears that the government basically continues to ignore what the residents want, on a whole host of issues. It is an extremely difficult issue all the way around, but hopefully they will be able to get some resolution soon, as this situation is very damaging to everyone.

On the VHF radio net here in St. Martin this morning one of the cruisers told how he'd gotten stopped in his rental car by a roadblock where they'd demanded money to let him pass. Upon refusal, his car was pelted with large rocks that dented his roof and he did make a police report. That kind of treatment by people who live off the tourism sector is certainly going to backfire.

I saw in the Daily Herald they said there were unconfirmed reports of people being accosted who refused to pay to walk through the roadblocks.. These are sad days.

Wow...I understand those who want to protest their issues with the Collectivité, but accosting people who refused to pay and wanted to walk through the roadblock is crazy.

I wonder what the "bigger picture" is here? It's my understanding that the French side is in fact part of France, so there must be some kind of supervision in France.

From my perspective, it's kind of unreal how big a deal that Orient Beach has become to the island in general. I know that Club O has been there a really long time and is well established, but the "touristy" thing there started after my first island visit.

IMHO,

I was and still am one who believes the French have totally legitimate gripes, and apparently a lot more than I thought and was aware of, and I fully 'get' their peaceful demonstrations and roadblocks.

This story and others along the same line reported yesterday afternoon and this morning take the situation to a whole different level.

The government needs to get this under control and quickly, and while I don't think the majority of the people with real grievances are involved in it, those resorting to violence need to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately along with those trying to collect ransoms for access.

This is a huge black-eye to all of St. Martin and the government needs to take swift and appropriate action. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Agreed, on all counts, my friend. I cannot believe these stories coming out of St Martin I love. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Charlie, the "draw" to Orient Beach was, for us, the funky beach bars that we don't get at home.
Also, the gorgeous water for swimming! Now that it's all like a new mini-mall, the attraction is mostly gone.

Unfortunately things like this bring out the delinquents.

I'd hardly call it a mini-mall, but I get your point. It could be a preview of things to come. Beyond the new structures is Kon Tiki and that can hardly be seen as funky, but there's a lot of room down the beach for more structures like the ones next to Pedro's. Hopefully, if the people in charge decide to build any more permanent structures they will be built with a lot more communication with the tenants and an understanding of what made the beach a draw for the visitors.

What I heard was the origin of a lot of this is from Paris. That they are imposing new rules , or enforcing old French rules, that are upending what had become the understood island normal. Unfortunately, maybe that understood normal didn't have legal legitimacy that may now be being sought with actual record keeping and deeds and leases and taxes, etc, etc. . Kind of like 3rd world getting first world rules.....

As for the violence, had a 74 yr old lady cabbie take us from airport to orient and without prompting from us as some naredewells in Marigot blocked her way on purpose she lamented the young do not want to work and they want what they see on tv now. They have no patience. She says she locks her door at 7pm and only goes out at night to go to church. She said there are many guns and many people have guns for defense but the police when they come will charge you for not running. A friend of hers had to shoot an intruder and he was charged. She said he told the judge "what was I to do, run and leave my wife and child behind, the judge dismissed the charges."

That said, we're booked for next New Years and we have always been cautious at home and around the world and know to avoid anything we aren't fully comfortable with.

It is their island and their economy largely depends on servicing us.

Many of you have read or heard about the recent protests in St. Martin. Yes, it's true that the road in the French Quarter was blocked to vehicle traffic for about three days and there was a blockage for one day on the road to Marigot near the Cadesco gas station. However, as of this morning, the roads are open both to and from the French Quarter and Marigot, and we believe will continue to remain that way. Everything is open at Club Orient and was the entire week and all employees are on deck and looking forward to our family of guests returning as normal.

The protests were an inconvenience to many residents and guests on St. Martin, and we wish that the situation had not occurred. During the time of the two blockades, however, people were still allowed to walk through the blockades and continue on their way. It was a bit of a logistical challenge, as we had to arrange transportation to the blockade and then transfer luggage to a waiting taxi, but everyone took it pretty well in stride. Through it all, we had a full resort, multiple check-ins and check-outs, no one missed their flights or were unable to reach Club Orient. Guests went to Orient Village restaurants in the evening and ate at the Papagayo, just like any other evening.

I personally drove numerous guests and employees to the barricades, assisted them connecting with their taxis and often had people that were in the crowd help us with the luggage. Not only did I do this, but also Jean-Michel and our wives Linda and Adelle. If we had felt there was any inherent danger, we would not have done this.

To the best of my knowledge from others who live here, as well as in the local newspaper accounts, no one protestor or bystander was injured or threatened with harm. Yes, there were a couple of old cars set on fire, as well as a pile of tires in the French Quarter, but let’s keep it in perspective. I don’t mean to downplay the events of this week, but when we see some of the protests that seem to be a regular occurrence in the States with buildings being burned and countless physical confrontations, this one was a relatively minor and peaceful.

The number of protestors averaged between 50 and 100 people, depending on the day and time. This is a very small number considering our population. The Gendarmes were always present and there were no injuries to anyone. No structures were damaged and we believe that the two sides are on their way to reaching a viable solution to their differences.

I can’t speak for other properties or private villas, but all guests arriving or checking out of Club Orient during this week did so as scheduled, without incident - other than having to transfer between the taxi and the car we sent to pick them up (on the first day only). Everything remains open at Club Orient and we are operating normally.

Some of the online rhetoric is understandable from people inconvenienced or who were asked for money to pass (this was not part of the official protest group and the protestors actually reported the person to authorities). But please remember that France, like most Western Countries, including the US and Canada, have a long history of the right to peaceful protest.

If you have any other concerns or questions, please give us a call or email me directly.

I understand the pain of the tourist that want to stay on the French side and feel uncomfortable doing so.
We have been coming to the island for 23 years, most of the time 2 to 3 times a year and used to spend time on the French side quite often for shopping and meals. We have always stayed on the Dutch side because of our time shares.
We stopped going to the French side about 5 years ago because of different reasons.
Have no reason to go back, even though for the great beaches, shopping or the food.
It's not right to put fear into the people that just want to enjoy a relaxing vacation.

You should add your email address to your profile if you are encouraging emails.

I just watched a video that showed the Gendarmes moving through the area, two wide in vans/trucks and a front-loader along with many on foot. They appeared to be clearing whatever was in their path. Not sure when the video was taken but it appears there is going to be some kind of end if it has not already happened.


Video

You might have to be on facebook to access the video but I am not sure.

Thanks so much for posting this information, Stephen

Your comments are after the fact. As this was going on who knows where this would have ended up.

I applaud you for being diligent in helping your guests.

SXM??? Wendell

Thank you Stephen for your first hand report! Looking forward to seeing you and your wonderful team in 6 weeks!!!

Stephen, thanks for taking time to post. I appreciate your attention to this, and your efforts to make the stay for the Club O guests go as smoothly as possible.

Thank you all for keeping the thread informative and current. I went down to Mullet Bay (near airport) from Oyster Bay (staying here) for a beach day, then up to Marigot to get a Cappuccino at Sarafina's. Checked this site for updates and found the road was open! It is easier to get from Marigot to Orient Bay without having to swing down thru Simpson Bay and Phillipsburg.

Regarding the protests, I spoke to a guy at a nearby service station, indicated that the roads are open for now but no guarrantees with the road block going back up in future. The problems are unresolved, and there is no real sense of progress. As indicated by someone on this thread and repeated to me, a car was set on fire and the law enforcement used teargas to dispurse the crowd. Point here is they do have the right to protest peacefully, setting fire to the car was not a peaceful act, and therefore law enforcement could intervene.

Last point, I would be less than trurhful if I didn't admit this event influenced my question to return vs other vacation options. I truly understand all the rhetoric regarding rights to assemble peacefully and we certainly embrace that right, but when the total economy is driven from ~87% tourism and a barracade was up for 3 days on 1 of two primary roads, I simply don't trust the rationale to let such a dispute get to this frustration level.

Thanks again everyone. Out tomorrow ...

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-33634776

As you can see, these protests are quite common in Europe.

If Americans and Canadians decide not to visit Lyon next summer their economy won't collapse.
Tourism is much to important to Saint Martin for the French government to allow the only major road on the island to be blocked every 6 months.

remember a road was blocked a few months back? A cruise ship tour bus was blocked. Causing couple on their honeymoon to be late arriving to the ship.
For some reason some people thought that was ok too.

I go to SXM for a relaxing vacation NOT to get caught up in ongoing island politics ( like I could do something about it). The island needs to get their internal politics in order so they can take care of the only island industry, tourism.

SXM??? Wendell

Here is how things get distorted and the story becomes more and more inaccurate. The barricades were up 2 days, not 3 and were not up 24 hours per day. The road was clear during the night of the first day and did not go back up until about 8 the next day and were removed in the evening of the second day. There is no confirmed report of people being charged to pass or of cars being pelted with rocks. Just hearsay reports. I passed several times both days with no problem. The entrance to Orient Bay was blocked for one day. The second day the road was only blocked in French Quarter but it was easy to bypass through Spring which I did with no problem. I'm not trying to down play the problems it caused but just trying to keep things factual and not let hearsay and rumors flying.

Well said. See you in June

Why would you 'fear' the French side? Personally, I have been much more uncomfortable on the Dutch side in our rare excursions than ever on the French side.

agree with you, Windy.

Bob--God knows, the Daily Herald OFTEN gets things wrong, but they did report about the extortion threats at the blockades there and stated it did happen. As I said, the DH is not always right, by any means, but I think that DID happen. There have been several first person reports about that.

Thank you Stephen, we'll be at Club O tomorrow night!

Did I understand you can't go through middle ground but can go through Marigot and by Grand case to get to Orient Beach?
Thanks

For what it's worth, from the Daily Herald at https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/56...o-consideration

"Assurance was given on Friday by protest organisers that there will be no further actions or civil unrest between now and Tuesday, March 15, the date protestors meet again with the Collectivité and Préfète Anne Laubies to hopefully hammer out an agreement acceptable to both the Orient Beach tenants and the Collectivité."

Ah, but beware the ides of March...... Just kidding!!

I sincerely hope the people and the government agency(ies?) can finally come together and resolve their numerous issues. No one needs the aggravation and inconvenience and the islanders themselves most certainly don't !!<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Was I correct you can get in by way of Marigot? Thanks

Apparently it is not over with for the tourists then.

I hope the "orginizers" have that much control.

And what happens for tourists after March 15 if the outcome is not acceptable?

SXM??? Wendell

Well Wendell ...the answer is stay on the Dutch side and until the French resolve their issues .

You can get to Orient beach any way you want. No protests going on now.

Yes but when they were blocking the road I thought the second day they didn't block the Marigot side but did block the French quarter middle ground way? I'm preparing for Wednesday going over when I arrive and want to know which way to get there?

I would ask again on the !5th Robert.

It's over. Go whatever way you feel comfortable