Jamaican beach access campaigners go to court to fight privatisation of coast
Jamaican activists are taking legal action to challenge the privatization of public beaches, arguing that access is essential for local livelihoods and food security. The movement, Jabbem, is fighting to prevent the closure of several coastal areas to the public.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tension between tourism-driven economic development and the rights of local communities to access natural resources.
Little Dunn’s River in St Ann is the subject of one of five court cases. Photograph: Destinee Condison/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Little Dunn’s River in St Ann is the subject of one of five court cases. Photograph: Destinee Condison/The Guardian Cotton Capital: ongoing series Jamaica Jamaican beach access campaigners go to court to fight privatisation of coast Activists are challenging colonial-era law and demanding ‘free, legal, unfettered, forever rights’ to use beaches
The article focuses on the perspective of activists and the social impact of privatization, which is a common framing for environmental and social justice reporting.
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