French side protest today

Daily Herald story

Oh boy.. arrived on the Ferry from Anguilla early. On the way to Sandy Ground. Saw smashed cars with windscreens taken out. Police by the market By the market just standing there. Turned round.. tried to get round the back of Marigot, streets blocked off again Police doing nothing. Now at Arawak Restaurant just waiting. Nobody knows what to do. Trying to get to Terres Basses and someone said that Bellevue is clear and then take the causeway, but not sure how to get there from here. Madness!!! In for a long day.

bran--sorry to hear that. Hope you can get out of there soon.

Oh man. What a mess. Good luck. Just hope violence doesn't break out too.

The PPRN is a way of taking land by expropriation... Think Club Orient for example!

I'm really not that familiar with all the workings of Club Orient, but I really don't think that the PPRN is the main problem there. From my understanding, the PPRN IS a big problem in local areas like Sandy Ground, where people are being prohibited from rebuilding.

Not too smart with 5 ships in port. French side have enough issues & people come to that market in Marigot. Those stalls & restaurants will suffer as well as tour buses. Not good

Made it back safely. I saw a destroyed car that obviously had been decimated recently by whoever, collected by a pick up truck that was originally blocking the road. Had to go over the bridge route. What I can’t understand is why the Polive just allow this to happen. When we had originally tried to go the Sandy Ground way, 2 cars in front of me I saw at least 20 youths tipping a car over to obstruct the road. Now initially, stupid me thought, how nice, they are moving the car out of the way, thinking it had conked out, hence the traffic, they were actually pushing ot towards the bridge to stop vehicles from entering. I heard later from a cop who actually understood and spoke some English that they had initially blocked that area with a bus!! I just didn’t have it in me to question what exactly they are doing in this situation but from what I saw, absolutely nothing!
We turned round very quickly and got the hell out. hate to think if there was some people in the car that they turned over and what happened to them? For the first time ever, got a bad feeling and wonder if there is just some terrible incident that will occur in the near future. Eerie feeling and Marigot was dead, no business’s doing any business, some had just closed and asking the owners and waiters who some had to walk into work up to at least one hour just about at their wits end with all these recent strikes. Arahawak also no longer do breakfasts, can’t afford to pay the cook from early in the morning until 11.30. A sign of the times we are in. Not good. Sad for the people who try so hard.
Did though by going a different route back find Sublime. Yes, not the best location, took a menu away to study as just wanted to get the hell back. Safe but did feel extremely uncomfortable at the time.

Sorry about the spelling....

The Dutchside would only do a land grab for possible airport or public road expansion. The Frenchside could do a land grab to take property for the State. For example AW33 Orient Beach where an AOT was given leasing the land for 5 Beach Bars. That land was Beauperthuy land and was taken in court when Beauperthuy died and the heirs went to court.

bran--glad you made it back safe. Sounds scary..

The situation in Sandy Ground has deteriorated:

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/93223-sandy-ground-stand-off-turns-violent

Wow. Not good.

Video taken 6 hours ago...

https://www.facebook.com/carl.javois/videos/2634835453277003/

Link working?

Yep - link works.

Update....10 minutes ago got a call from Tropicana telling us not to come tonight for dinner. She can see fires burning from where she lives and Be Kool opposite has closed the shutters as a precaution and doesn’t know if he will open tonight and nor do they. WTF is going on ?
So will possibly try nowhere special if traffic is not insane unless you guys tell me differently.....

Thanks for the link....sad day in Sandy Bottom and an interesting look at the Gendamererie AND interesting comments by a local that is filming

If you made it out to safety, there is NO WAY that you should go back over to Marigot.

Does anyone know if the Quarter-d'Orleans side is open and passable?

more video here...

https://www.facebook.com/LePelicanjournal/videos/524544578135432/

I just learned that the answer is "no".

A mini tour bus managed to get back through Oyster Pond but apparently that was blocked off later

From that video it appears that perhaps you could get through from the Galisbay side?

Looks like violence erupted with schools closed tomorrow.

So, what are the prognostications? One day issue? One week issue? One month issue?

Will be on the French side transiting most times through Marigot and the causeway. Any violence against drivers or just burning tires and cars?

Yea, anyone know if this is continuing today? So Yesterday, was on the way to Nowhere Special at 5 pm. Got to the roundabout leading into Puerto Cupecoy and Police we’re stopping each car from basically going into France. The traffic must have been backed up for miles. Spoke to the officer who says Dutch side no problem but couldn’t guarantee the situation for us getting back home not to mention how long it could take from the Restaurant. Took no chances and first had a drink at Steviez whilst I walked around wondering where to eat as I was starving. Not a great fan of Mario’s as I think they are overpriced....$15.00 for hummus? Plus lacking in atmosphere. Checked their menu out again and my thoughts haven’t changed. Altrios wasn’t impressed the last time and Rendevous too casual. That leaves a Chinese place and Mama Pizza.
Went in and saw the chef and asked if they could do a soup for the wife. No problem, where are you they said as we will get some veggies from the grocery. Wow I thought. 10 mins later wife had a fantastic pea and cauliflower creamy soup and I had eggplant parmigiana followed by mussels and gnocchi in cream sauce then Tiramisu coffees and drinks. Well priced, great service and not just a Pizza place. By the way, the Christmas decorations and how the whole area is beautifully lit up is nicely done and there is security everywhere. When leaving no police or traffic and home in 3 minutes.

Forgot to mention. Mama only takes cash. And Steviez when I gave her a $50.00 note for the drinks she gave me change of Euros and dollars but the euros did me short by about $1.11. Not a big deal but that’s all she had in the draw. Would take a CC but for a 5% charge. I told her to get the change as didn’t want euros. She eventually did so!!

There was no traffic in Cupecoy yesterday. If Dutch police were turning you back it's because of the violence happening in Sandy ground and blocked roads everywhere. THIS is what they helped you miss.

https://www.facebook.com/SXMLATESTN...STE3ODMyNDEwNjM6MTAyMTI0NDY4ODE0ODU0MjU/

OMG 🌴

http://www.lepelican-journal.com

Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin
13 hrs ·
[demonstration of December 12]

DENY:

The borders with the Dutch part have not been closed.
The Prefecture asked for the kpsm (Korps Politie Sint Maarten) to guide people and prevent them from engaging on blocked roads.

bran--thanks for the report. You stay safe!

We're currently staying in Orient Village and have to get to the airport Sunday. Supposedly 300 military and extra gendarmes have arrived. If the situation isn't resolved by tomorrow we'll have to make different plans. As of this morning the roads were blocked going into Grand Case near the rumble strips and in French Quarter near the gas station. If we have to, we'll leave the rental car here and take the ferry from Anse Marcel to the airport.

On Social Media there is a couple staying at Grand Case Beach Club who hired a boat to get them to the airport...

Trouble is, we can't get Grand Case.

Also staying in Orient and leaving Monday. Is there a regular ferry that runs from Anse Marcel to Simpson Bay?

The boat leaves from Anse Marcel TRANSFERT ANSE MARCEL—> JULIANA AIRPORT
50€/pers.
DÉPART 10pers
0690651640

Check you messages

My flight is Saturday and I’m also stuck in Orient Bay. Where are folks getting the most up to date info about the blockages? Google maps shows a way to get thru French Quarter via back streets unless the blockage is south of Rue Chic Chic.

We had some people that were staying at Esmeralda and had to take a boat today to get the Airport.
The car is safe but can't pick it up till things cleared up.

We are the couple that Lesley was referring to above. Roads blocked on both sides and Esmeralda arranged for a boat to take 12 of us from Anse Marcel to Nettle Bay, just past the barricades. We were then able to take a taxi through Terre Basse to the airport. Almost missed our flight.

I was able to drive out from orient bay to the Dutch side just now. N7 is blocked just after rumble strips at Grand Case still but I was able to go though town by driving around the airport. There were smoldering piles north of Marigot to drive around carefully and the roundabout was really littered with debris all over, be careful. Debris scattered all thru Marigot. Gendarme checkpoint just south of Marigot way out of the French side at Bellevue, they were looking in all cars for petrol cans etc.

Get out right now, you won’t be able to later after folks wake up and rebuild the barricades.

For what it's worth Orient was quiet yesterday (Friday the 13th) and almost normal on the beach except for fewer people than normal. Cedrick was missing on Club O beach but Randy of Perch lite filled in for him as well as serving sandwiches and drinks. Nice crowd in the village last night but no problem getting a table around 6PM (yes I know that's early).

We did have a helluva time getting to Orient (Club Fantastico) Thursday night. Alain's son warned us about the blockades when we picked up our car rental at AAA so we went through P'Burg and Oyster Pond. Still were blocked in Orleans but a wonderful local named Rudy guided us around it on his motorbike. (He said that he actually likes Americans, guess that's not typical?)

I’m sympathetic to protest and maybe some inconvenience that is handled by rerouting. I’m not sympathetic to bodily harm. A little worried a couple weeks out. Hope the Gendarmes figure a way to keep the holidays safe.

It should be safe ALL the time, not just for the holidays. This is out of control. A local friend who lives on the French side (French Quarter) said he is not leaving his house until this is resolved as he fears for his life at this point. Burning tires, cars, looting, etc. is not protesting it is destroying property and endangering life and livelihoods of many and may have a long lasting effect on tourism, especially on the French side.

Here is a FB group I found about traffic on the island.

SXM TRAFFIC

French Tourist Office issued this:

Dear Esteemed Tourism Partners,

St. Martin is in process of returning to normal operations following a series of sporadic civil
demonstrations that took place in Marigot yesterday. Limited roadblocks are still in place
affecting traffic and accessibility on the roads. The President and Territorial Councilors are
calling for calm and restraint as they seek to address concerns raised by the protestors.
With minimized taxi and transportation services operating until further notice, we ask that
cruises recommend visitors enjoy the attractions and restaurants in Sint Maarten and choose St.
Martin during their next visit.
To our hotel and villa partners, we suggest recommending that guests refrain from venturing out
on tours and enjoy their amenities and activities on-property or within walking distance until
further notice.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will issue updates as soon as traffic resumes to
normal.
Valérie Damaseau Aida Weinum
President Director of Tourism

However they DO NOT have it under control. "In the process" is crap. Some people got around early this morning, but they will fire things up again. Does anyone know when the 300 extra French troops and police will arrive?

Wow, I hope this gets resolved soon. I never would have thought to read such stories about St. Martin. I do understand the underlying frustration though I cannot condone the violence. It is really scary to me, that a local is scared to go out....

Additional help arrived last night at 6:00, landing in Grand Case.

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islan...LXY93PvdDBbP4UCRufwigv51W9KcuK5FdSIEp_gQ

20 gendarmes?? Not sure where the 300 number came from, but 20 isn't much.... I was kind of wondering, reading the story, how a plane holding 300 people was going to land in Grand Case..

BeachKitten, can you post a link to where you got the information from the French Tourist Office? I'm scheduled to start my travels to SXM on Wednesday arriving on Thursday. Staying at Palm Court. So I'm seriously considering cancelling my 2 week trip.

This site scares me...lots of videos.

https://www.facebook.com/LePelicanjournal/?hc_location=ufi

Gibbs was brave to put himself in the middle of that crowd! And they are wearing masks.

I agree! I don't like masked men approaching Gibbs or anyone else for that matter! I am not buying airline tickets till this is resolved.

Ferry to Anguilla has been stopped.

Trying to get to Anguilla via a private ferry is now dangerous, as they are throwing things from the bridge onto the boats.

https://www.facebook.com/SXMLATESTNEWS/videos/587808808697936/

This is escalating and needs to be controlled with the military!!!!

We're taking a boat from Anse Marcel to the airport Sunday. 50 Euro pp. The car rental (Sax) is giving us a hassle about leaving our car there but we have no options. There is no taxi service from O'Paradis to the dock.

Let's hope they don't figure that out and attempt to block Anse Marcel.

Your car rental company needs to understand and take a chill pill. Hopefully you can leave it somewhere safe and they need to retrieve it later. Is Sax a Dutch side rental?
I would pressure the resort to have someone employed there give you a ride to the dock. Forget no taxi service.

That was yesterday. Today, the AXA private shuttles are taking a longer route, via Simpson Bay and avoiding going under the bridge and the French side of St. Martin.

Correct me if I am wrong but weren't the last few protests held without incident, just protesting with no violence? It's quite simple to realize who the flame throwers are. The so called hoodlums from St. Martin that cause trouble where ever they go. They are getting in a good thing for them to keep up on their gangster pranks and what a great time to join in. They love it, won't even get In trouble with the law. Most of them probably don't even know what they are protesting for, they just want to join in and raise he!!.

I agree! The violence is from the youth who don't know what the protest is about! IMO

https://bb.usembassy.gov/security-a...sy-bridgetown-barbados-december-14-2019/

Yes, Sax is a Dutch side company, and they do need to chill. The parking area in Anse Marcel is no less secure than the front of where we're staying - it's a 4 unit guesthouse. We tried to find an alternative but the boat is our best option. We'll take pictures of the car. We'll also notify our cc company as soon as we get to the airport.

Biturbo--Best wishes getting out tomorrow.

L’Auberge owners son arriving at 4.30pm from Miami. He has arranged a taxi to Nettle Bay and then a private boat to take him to Grand Case but all this has to be done before dark... going to be tight. Think he will not open tonight. His staff cannot get in to work. Had lunch in a restaurant today next to Skipjacks. Very pleasant staff indeed but food not the best at all. What was cool were the men’s toilet. Spoke to a waitress who has to come from the French side and she said that people do have a right to object to having their properties and land basically taken away from them as they are not allowed to rebuild but does object to the way and manner the strikes are being conducted by hoodlums.

This email was sent to owners at Orient Bay this afternoon. It's from their security department.

Subject: Re: AVIS MANIFESTATION


Here it is


Hello everyone,

We have just been informed that several groups of demonstrators
would likely come to completely block Parc de la Baie
East.

We would like to point out that all types of behavior are
Possible ...

We are currently taking all necessary measures to be able to
ensure your safety and that of Orient Bay Park.

We also requested the services of the Gendarmerie so that they
lend us a hand, but they are not in the business
currently.

We ask all residents to stay at home so
avoid any overflows.

We will keep you informed as much as possible.

We thank you.

The ARES Security team.

Not sure what "They are not in the business currently." Not sure what that means? 24 hour security has always been my choice. This is so not good for tourism and it will not spill over to the Dutch side it will still effect tourist on both sides.

According to this, affects today as well.

Talking to some tourists at the Boon today. Arrived this am and could not get to their rental at Grand Case Beach Club due to the road blockade. They found rooms on St Barth and were taking the ferry from Simpson Bay. No ferry from Marigot.

It's a Google translation from French. Take it for what it's worth.

It is not the best... If you have an url to French website this free translator is not bad.
https://www.ipvoid.com/website-translation-tool/

It tells me what I want to know, and my friends in Orient also.

Yes, you are correct, the port is closed for sure, but they are no longer going the old route as depicted in the video, they are taking the longer route, for safety's sake.

The boats are leaving via the Police Station in Simpson Bay. I helped our first client today , first timer to a place close to our home today .
No chances needed .

The big regular ferry boats that go to Blowing Point? Or just the private ones?

Are they doing departure tax at the station?

They are just the small shuttle boats, the big ferries are not going at this time. I hope this gets resolved for all. Anguilla travelers are very concerned and I am sure SXM people are as well. I would hate to get to PJIA with a plan of taking the public ferry, only to find I could not, and have all the shuttles booked. Same on the return. I know many people would be at a loss as to what to do. Not everyone reads the internet, and it would be a real shock for some.

Here is our experience on Friday afternoon/evening re St. Martin Blockages:

On Friday afternoon/evening we tried three routes to get to our rental which was at Yellow Sub near Bikini Beach Bar on Orient Bay.


1. The west side route to Marigot was blocked but we could not observe the blockage directly. We just saw vehicles backing up. We had to turn around. Shortly afterwards the St. Maarten police came and closed the road.

2. On the east side, the main route was blocked just north of McDonald’s (corner of Illidge and Bishop Hill roads). There was a barricade at the border, and we could see that the road on the French side - St. Martin Road up the hill - was covered with boulders for about 100 meters. There were a few people milling around the barricade, no threatening behavior. We talked to some of them, who told us there was no way to get to Orient Bay.

3. We then tried to use Coralita Road to bypass that blockage. There was a blockade of burned cars near the border, but it was not manned. We, and several other vehicles, drove around it, so we actually got onto French territory for a brief time. However, near where Coralita Road enters the built-up area of Orleans in the French Quarter, the road was blocked by burned vehicles. At that point we were surrounded by yelling children, banging on our car windows and demanding money to let us through. There were adults watching from a distance. It was clear that there was no way to get a vehicle past that barricade, so we turned around and found lodging at Simpson Bay.

Thanks, Carol. Someone from Sax actually texted my wife and apologized, that he understood our situation and to leave the car @ Anse Marcel and they would get it as soon as possible. This has been a wonderful two weeks up until 3 days ago. We took lots of notes for a TR.

Ron--I hope you are able to enjoy your vacation, after an extremely scary start.

Biturbo--Please let us know how things go tomorrow, if you can..

We are supposed to arrive in two weeks.

We are going to sleep on it and may bag the whole trip in the morning.

http://www.lepelican-journal.com/sa...des-reponses-fortes-de-l-Etat-18134.html

Translated: Gibbs talking to Oversea Minister

I’m on the island now and thought I’d pass along some info. I was driving through Simpson Bay last evening with the radio tuned to 105 listening to a bouncy Caribbean tune when I realized that the song was about the French side protests. How someone wrote and recorded a song that quickly I have no idea, but it was very clearly within the last day or two because the lyrics were talking about burning cars and blocking the bridge in Sandy Ground. They were also about how frustrated and angry the people are.

None of that is news at this point, but what was news to me was the racial tension expressed in the song. The chorus of the song spoke about how the government only works for white people, that it doesn’t work for “the colors” and that if you want government to work you have to be “whitey-tighty”. Those are quotes from the song.

Keep in mind this was being sung by a St Martiner to other St Martiners.

These protests are not just about PPRN. There is a racial aspect to the unrest that shouldn’t be ignored. One of complaints mentioned in the articles about the protests was alleged unfair treatment of locals relative to “metropolitans”, i.e. French nationals from the mainland. It makes the earlier comment about encountering a local on the French side who said “I actually like Americans” a little more understandable. It also puts the video of the attack by the bridge occupiers on a tourist ferry in a different perspective.

This tells me that whatever the trigger of the protests was, the underlying tensions run much deeper, and will be much more difficult to resolve than just fixing the PPRN. It also explains why the reaction by the Gendarmes has been relatively restrained. The gendarmes are all metropolitans - there are no local police on the French side - so a strong reaction by the Gendarmes would only feed the sentiment that the government is biased in favor of the metropolitans against the locals. The French government is almost in a no win situation. As of right now, the protestors run the French side, and unless cooler heads prevail soon, any escalation by authorities could make the situation a lot, lot worse.

Thank You for your post... Lucky 13

This escalation is seeded in something far beyond the PPRN

PPRN was a spark that sadly started an inferno!

https://youtu.be/ILzJP5qChSk

We’re on a sailboat in Marigot and it was pretty quiet on Saturday. We were able to drive to Philipsburg, Simpson bay, the airport, and had dinner at Tropicana. There was still some debris in the road but no blockades anywhere we went. Also passed under the Sandy Ground bridge via dinghy a couple of times with no problem. However the Sandy Ground bridge road is still blocked and was the only place we saw protesters milling about. I don’t know that status in Grand Case or Orient. There is very little traffic and most businesses in Marigot were closed. Hopefully the quiet yesterday is a good sign.

Please don’t take the above as anything other than my experience on Saturday and use your own judgement on whether to venture out if you on island.

Good post Lucky. That certainly explains to me when I asked a cop can I get to Terres Basses through Sandy Ground he had no idea where this was....Unfortunately I started to notice a certain tension in June and this is what starts riots which ultimately leads to violence. The Government needs to take action now but I’m not sure how they would go about it. Someone posted to get in the Military but that would cause utter chaos to the tourism industry. The fact that the US Embassy has issued a warning for people traveling to the French side is cautiously a good thing in one respect but not something that leads to solving anything. It’s for the French authorities to resolve and quickly. I am not sure how I would feel being told that my land was now worthless and I would never receive a permit to rebuild plus knowing that there could be some nasty bromates in the water and nothing is being done albeit the latter is minor to the main issue but ongoing.
This could and should be a matter of urgency to deflect which could become very serious very quickly by first telling the people that they will be looking into the viability of allocating funds for those in flood impacted areas due to ongoing hurricane situations by allocating funds for them to build in a safer zone. However, they will not condone violence, burning of vehicles, barricades, blocking the roads and disruption of any kind that affects their main asset, tourism, which ultimately helps all concerned.

On a personal level and having travelled extensively in the Caribbean, I don’t think I have ever seen another Island and I do combine both French and Dutch sides together which in itself is totally unique as you know, that has so much natural beauty plus huge harbor areas for boats and mega yachts of all kinds, so much untapped potential that both Governments couldn’t get together and inject huge amounts of money and resources with a five year plan to make this destination the place for people from all over to travel to.

Wishful thinking as not sure it will happen in my lifetime as like so many other places money allocated, tends to disappear.

Denis, were you at Tropicana on Saturday evening for Dinner and sitting outside? If so we were there as well. There was a party of 4 sitting next to us and a party of two on the other side plus about 4 people inside......small world.

French Tourist Office is attempting to put a positive spin on a very bad situation. I don't envy their task. We have all seen this kind of mentality where destruction is easier and more dramatic than having the opposing factions use a peaceful approach to resolution. We will be on Sint Maarten in a couple weeks and I appreciate that we stay on the Dutch side but the negative impact of these criminal acts will have long lasting effects on both businesses and tourism on both sides of the island.

They have been trying for quite some time with the "peaceful approach" to be heard, to no avail. Sadly, there is an element (on BOTH side of the island and everywhere in the world) who will take advantage of any event to riot, steal and destroy. The animosity between local St Martiners and metropolitans has been around for decades. It the same on Dutch side.

To the poster who said there are no local French police, you are mistaken. Police Municipale can always be seen on the roads.

12 years you two have lived on SXM.... I will never live there! This might be the last straw for me!

My mistake and thank you for correcting. I have never noticed anything other than the Gendarmes. If there are local police, they should be taking the lead in dealing with protestors. I saw lots of heavily armed Gendarmes in riot gear standing around in Marigot on Friday, and a few in Grand Case, but no other police.

They do what they are ordered to do. They may be securing schools, banks. You would never see that.

We all make our choices. Back to the old chocolate and vanilla analogy .

Those protesters on Sandy Ground bridge should be waving signs about their plight not throwing things down on boats.

I'll say it once more for clarity. The protesters are NOT doing those things. Punk opportunists are.

Interesting straw man you got there. Of course they follow orders. The government should be directing them to take the lead in dealing with the protestors who are obviously already irritated by the presence of metropolitans.

I have felt racial tension rising this year... paying bills or dealing with service people.
Civil unrest can take an ugly turn and it is not just SXM but the USA as well.

Hi Bran,

Yes, we were the 4 noisy people outside. Tropicana is my favorite restaurant on the island. You must have been the person that recommended the soufflé?

I’m sympathetic with the protesters but also feel bad for the shop and restaurant owners trying to make a comeback after the hurricanes. Multiple days with very customers is a business killer.

Thank you for the updates.

We are currently sailing our boat to St. Martin and had planned on leaving it in Simpson Bay for 8 weeks, either at IWW docks or hauling out at Bobbys Mega Yard.

We were planning on spending NYE in St. Martin as well. This issue has us rethinking our plans. Very sad for the island as it’s our favorite in the Caribbean.

We do appreciate continued updates from those who are there. In the meantime, I believe it’s prudent for us to have a plan b in place.

Same thing I quoted previously. It's a no brainer. These rowdy punks are loviing it. Gives them something to do and puts them in control.

d-fish, You may want to consider mooring your boat in Anguilla or St. Bart's. Antigua is not far way either. If things get worse in St Martin you may have to.

Yes that was us. Soufflé just superb and the fish soup starter was sensational. You noisy buggers😎 also our favorite place. Owner especially made Beef Wellington with Fois Gras sauce. So glad you had a good time but how sad for them and many others. Be Kool opposite had 3 diners. Going there on Monday for lunch unless serious trouble and back to Tropicana the next and last day for us. Stay safe.

i’ve seen the protestors in person twice now - once in French Quarter on Thursday and once in Grand Case on Friday. The barricades were being organized and enforced by adult men, not punk kids. The entire protest is highly organized with coordinated roadblocks at key places around the French side. Punk kids will take advantage of a chaotic situation by looting, destroying and such, but IMO the people leading the protests are responsible for all of that now.

Just made it from Orient through Grand Case over to the Dutch side. Lots of gendarmes. I think it opened up around 6 AM today.

Good to hear you are safe, but can you clarify what “it opened up” means? Regardless, have a good flight back.

The cars and debris in the roads were essential cleared. A few spots of garbage here and there but easily passable. I found the Facebook page SXM Traffic to be very helpful. Most everything is in French but FB does a decent job translating.

Not a facebook member but from my limited French capabilities it appears that all roads are passable apart from at Sandy Ground that is still blocked. anyone else care to confirm?

Here’s a Facebook message from a friend who lives in Grand Case:

After 5 days of the protest that has cripple much of French Saint Martin the roads are finally opened 🎉
What were residents protesting: The PPRN law. It is designed for people with property on the shoreline to evenually give up their rights of ownership. (in simple terms) so we have seen blockade throughout the french side.
Many Businesses were closed. There has been reports of injuries and looting (sadly)in some area. However no vehicles in grandcase has been set on fire. As of today, The residents of this little town has done very well the way they managed this blockade. Apparently some agreement has been made. I do not know the details but traffic is finally flowing. 🙏

sxmfantoo--glad to hear that you will be able to make your flight. Hopefully maybe the situation has now stabilized.

Thanks for your note, pony.

I am far away from SXM spending the holidays in Vermont. I turned on my laptop and searched events in Vermont. The first thing that came up was a protest scheduled December 17, 2019. What! National Protest Day! 12/17/19. I am in the Green Mountains and Tuesday there is a protest scheduled in town that has three police officers. I am not making this up!

Oh goodness,,,I cannot believe it....what is going to happen. Makes me fearful to even come to island in January! I obviously do not understand what the issues are, but can an honest government not step in??
Will keep an eye on this for sure,,,and if we come will be staying on the Dutch side for sure!!

I see this story in the Daily Herald today. Does anyone have an update, as to whether there has been a response from the French national government?

Daily Herald story

We were able to get a boat from Anse Marcel yesterday, along with 4 other couples - the boat was full to its maximum capacity of ten. Actually, it was a quite pleasant ride of about 35 minutes, and it did pass under the Sandy Ground bridge. Before we left we checked & the road into Grand Case was totally blocked but we saw no protestors. The boat took us to Hotel Mercure, where a van had been arranged to take us to the airport - 50$ for the boat, 10$ for the van. We had to leave the car in Anse Marcel, and we just got an email from Sax saying that the car has been picked up. so apparently the road has been cleared. Hopefully, the government can address the protestors very legitimate concerns.

Biturbo--glad you were able to get out to come home. And thankful that the car was OK. If it had been damaged, I am afraid they might have held you responsible for it.

I can understand a reasonable extra charge for picking up the car, since the original agreement was to return it to Simpson Bay. But, I'm going to call my cc company just in case they try to gouge us. We took plenty of pictures of the car when we left it.

Hopefully it will be a reasonable charge.

We picked two of cars today and was okay. And no charge .

If you think your rental company might try to gouge you, you may be dealing with the wrong company.

I see the schools will be open tomorrow. That's progress.

Lesley--Glad to hear you're doing OK so far..

Thanks Dear and it was scary . I even changed a couple place from the Orient on Saturday to our friend home one bedroom private room in Beacon Hill next to El Zafiro. They are first timers and I didn't want them to be in danger.

Doesn’t happen a lot but every now and then I wish TTOL had a “Like” button and posts like this are the reason why. But having known you for years now, it doesn’t surprise me at all that you did this.

So whats the guess for those on island for 2 weeks? Will folks be able to cross over/back to orient safely?

Have a feeling it might be over and some compromise might be reached. Hope so anyway.

For when which dates ?
Now it's touch and go .

Thanks Pat , I do my business the way I do it because In reality love what I do , and thanks for my Wife pushing me . We started from zero lol.

Posted on St Martin News
"According to the latest info we received the Minister is cancelling PPRN and. The protest is over, clean up time. Got this from F.Q. I just confirm. A new prefete one that was here before will be coming in January to sit down and map out a new plan with the people"

Correction. Postponed for 3 months.