🏖️Jamaicans are being blocked from accessing their own beaches, while tourists enjoy all-inclusive resorts.
🌊Colonial-era laws like the Beach Control Act of 1956 restrict Jamaicans' rights to access the beach.
🌴Communities are organizing and filing lawsuits to regain beach access rights.
🏝️JaBBEM, a grassroots organization, is helping communities fight for beach access rights.
⚖️Using the Prescription Act, plaintiffs in court cases are proving uninterrupted use of beaches for 20 years.
Why are Jamaicans being blocked from accessing their own beaches?
—Tourists have exclusive access to all-inclusive resorts, while locals are increasingly being restricted.
What is JaBBEM?
—JaBBEM is a grassroots organization that helps communities fight for beach access rights.
What colonial-era law restricts beach access in Jamaica?
—The Beach Control Act of 1956 gives the British crown all rights to the foreshore, leaving Jamaicans with no inherent rights.
How are plaintiffs proving their right to beach access?
—Plaintiffs are using the Prescription Act to show 20 years of uninterrupted use of beaches for fishing, bathing, or recreation.
What could winning these court cases lead to?
—Winning these cases could result in permanent beach access rights for all Jamaicans.
00:08Jamaicans are being increasingly blocked from accessing their own beaches.
00:16Tourists enjoy exclusive access to all-inclusive resorts.
00:32Communities are organizing to take down colonial-era land laws.
00:46Jamaicans are suing companies for cutting off beach access.
01:08Steer Town, a fishing community, is affected by limited beach access.
02:11Two companies bought the land leading to Mammee Bay Beach, cutting off access for locals.
03:18Fisherfolk like Norris Arscott rely on fishing income, while all-inclusive resorts thrive.
04:11Many public beaches in Jamaica are in disrepair or difficult to access.
