The Royal Grenada Police Force has issued a mandate that says that amplified music will not be allowed on Independence Day and licenses that were previously issued, have been revoked.

This decision was met with furor by some citizens who find it “high-handed and unfair.”

Internationally recognised artiste Hollis “Mr Killa” Mapp is among those who take issue with the decision taken by the police force. He voiced his frustration in a video posted to social media this morning.

“I just wake up this morning and I just feel real hurt. And all you know I doesn’t come on and run my mouth… Independence is freedom. What is the meaning of Independence? How am I independent? How do I celebrate this freedom?”

He said given the volume of people who returned to the Spice Isle to join in the golden jubilee celebrations, there’s just no way the National Stadium would have the capacity to host everyone. Mr Killa said he’s been planning for the occasion for months and had plans to celebrate his country’s 50th anniversary of Independence with the same enthusiasm he would Carnival.

“I just want to say that I’m disappointed and a lot of the time people are afraid to talk because when you talk they know some people does want to keep you enemy and hold you in their craw. But right is right and wrong is wrong and I am FFF for life-freedom fighter forever. You understand what I’m saying? So some people go Vex, that’s all right. You see, I sure you that there is some people that is going to understand what I’m saying. And as a people we have to sometimes lend our our ideas and sometimes we have to actually see things in a different light because some people will never see it. You see? I alone. I alone can’t develop my country. Neither you alone it takes us as a people and today I am disappointed because we all are supposed to be celebrating.”

He said today being a public holiday, there will be transportation challenges for people coming from far north. He also lamented the authorities’ failure to acknowledge how such a decision would affect specific groups of citizens.

“Today is a holiday not everybody will have the transportation not everybody could catch the bus. You know what I mean l? So the little man in the little village want to celebrate. And then some people already spend money buy drinks, do all of those things and a day or two days after they already gotten permission to play the music then you take it back, you don’t understand how much poor people is going and lose money… Today I stand up and I say happy Independence Day Grenada but I also say that I am disappointed this morning because independence is to celebrate our culture.”

Mr Killa was not alone in his frustration. Scores of people echoed his sentiments in response to the video he posted.

“After 50 years we are still in chains, by our people, where is the freedom that 50 years should be showing it’s disrespectful,” one person posted.

Another said “that’s wickedness that could never be right.”

One man said he was glad he didn’t go home to Grenada for the event.

“The government failed big time with that. I am happy I didn’t spend my money to go home. A big, big fail for the government and the Independence committee, but Happy Independence Day Grenada.,” he posted.

Several people wanted to know the reason for the ban.

“Why though, what’s their reason?” One woman asked. “We need an explanation for the ban, they must say something…”

Another posted “It is the repressive power holding the people from celebrating and capturing the spirit of Maurice Bishop and the PRG.”

One woman said the stance taken by the police as it relates to amplified music is “ridiculous.”

“That is absolutely ridiculous! Why were the permissions granted before and revoked? What backwardness is that? So all the music is good enough only for the stadium? This is a big shame.”

Marcus posted “To revoke permits that were approved is madness because people would have gone ahead and started to prepare for whatever even they may have planned.”

One Granville resident told YCG that at the very least an explanation should have been given so people could at least try to understand.

“This is just so high-handed and unfair. No consideration for the people who don’t have access to the gala and the parties and other fancy events. People in the communities, normal people are citizens so don’t we deserve to celebrate our Independence too? If this is only meant for certain classes of people I find they should be bold and say it. You can’t just rob people of things like this man. Killa was right, not everybody could go to town, not everybody could afford to go. So if I can’t afford then I guess is no celebration for me? So all the foreign media and dignitaries getting to celebrate my Independence more than me? That could never be right!”

Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique celebrate 50 years as an independent nation today, February 7. Weeks of commemorative events are scheduled to end with a massive event at the national stadium tonight.