*I707 Act of Union, Scotland joins England and Wales to form Great Britain. Scots sugar trade now protected from piracy and competition by the British Navy.

*1707 Jamaica becomes a British Colony. Scots take up land in Jamaica.

*1805 Jamaica now has 280,000 slaves; those who die young are replaced by thousands more imports.

*1834 British Government degrees all slaves over six years old must become 'apprenticed labourers' until 1838.

*1834 Compensation of 10 million British Pounds paid to former slave owners Apprenticeship abolished.

* Bought and Sold' - Scotland, Jamaica and Slavery - Kate Philips - Luath Press Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO EVICTION IS NO COMPENSATION!

The Communities of Little Bay and Brighton, Westmoreland, (the Jamaican Parish with the most Scottish Plantations between 1707 and 1838) are situated at a stunning piece of South-Western Jamaica's natural coastline.

37 families are currently under the threat of eviction and the remainder, maybe over 500 or more living on the 768 acres of land are supposed to follow. The families, many of whom were born and grown on these lands have children that attend the local school and families that attend the many churches in the two villages. The people, many of them fishermen, farmers, micro-business owners, hotel workers and tour drivers have nowhere to go to or relocate their homes and businesses to. The eldest surviving person is over 80 years old and born on the lands. 

One third of the people here are descendants of the slaves who survived the Human Trafficking atrocities of the Scots ships and plantations. Other people leased their lands from past owners agents; some 'captured' unused lands; some formed relationships with residents and settled there

These two communities have developed from slavery days. They have built their beautiful homes, planted their pretty, gardens, created their farms, developed their businesses and lived peacefully, Many have worked as fishermen, teachers, farmers, hotel workers, and tour drivers for decades. Others have created small and micro-businesses to support their families. The area is very popular with foreign visitors who love to be around areas of Community Tourism - enjoy the stunning nature and friendly local culture of the communities on this beautiful unspoiled coast.

Many residents here have always been prevented from buying their lands for which many have 'adverse tenancy' rights (Squatters rights). Having no titles they have been excluded from obtaining finance through loans and grants to develop their farms and businesses. One of the reasons many people remain so poor here.

The lands are beautiful, natural, and unspoiled with beaches that are protected turtle and wildlife habitats. There are so many land and sea birds around the coastline and further out at sea. The sea often provides a multitude of sea fish and other food which are the staple, healthy diet of many families.

PLEASE - We can't allow developers to turn these amazing organic lands into a concrete jungle of hotels and gold courses. 'Progress in the name of Tourism', which will undoubtedly create more but very low-paid jobs for Jamaican people, plus encourage more crime and violence before the next coastal villages fall into foreign developer's hands too.

BLACK LIVES MATTER - Please help Little Bay and Brighton Communities keep their lands, homes, businesses, schools, churches and livelihoods by signing this petition now and sharing it with your friends and colleagues. ONE LOVE JAMAICA