Dear Hon. Prime Minister Gaston Browne,

We respectfully ask you and your Cabinet to protect long-standing public access to Jolly Harbour Beach by preserving practical public parking and convenient beach access for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

This parking area formed part of the original Jolly Harbour development, on land sold by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to the original Swiss developer for the nominal sum of one U.S. dollar. That development was always understood to include important public benefits, including practical access to one of Antigua’s finest beaches.

This petition is about much more than a parking lot.

It is about protecting the principle that Antigua’s beaches should remain genuinely accessible to the public. It is about ensuring that development enhances our country without gradually eroding the rights of the people who have enjoyed these shores for generations.

The public parking area at Jolly Harbour Beach has, for decades, provided access for Antiguans, residents, visitors, yacht owners, villa guests, local businesses, and tourists alike. As that access is reduced, many Antiguans are finding it increasingly difficult to enjoy a beach that has always been part of our shared heritage.

The Jolly Harbour area is also historically significant. It contains one of the oldest known human settlements in Antigua, with archaeological evidence showing that people have lived along and used this coastline for approximately 5,000 years. For thousands of years, people have gathered here to fish, travel, work, and enjoy the sea. That history belongs to every Antiguan.

We support responsible investment and thoughtful development. Tourism is essential to our economy, and quality development creates jobs and opportunities. However, development should be planned in a way that protects public access and respects the rights of the people who call Antigua and Barbuda home.

We ask your Government to ensure that practical public access and adequate public parking remain part of the future of Jolly Harbour Beach, and that this principle is applied to future developments around our coastlines. The decisions made today will help determine whether future generations inherit beaches that remain welcoming to everyone, or coastlines that become increasingly exclusive.

Please sign this petition today.

Then, please leave a comment explaining why protecting public access matters to you. Personal stories from Antiguans, property owners, visitors, business owners, yacht owners, and supporters from around the world will demonstrate to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet that this issue matters to real people whose lives and livelihoods are connected to Antigua.

Finally, please share this petition with your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and on your social media. Every signature, every comment, and every share increases the likelihood that our voices will be heard.

Together, we can encourage policies that balance responsible development with the protection of public rights and ensure that future development along Antigua and Barbuda’s foreshores always keeps the interests of our people at the forefront.

Thank you for standing up for public access, our shared heritage, and the future of Antigua and Barbuda.