The youth arm of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Young Jamaica, has fired back at Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) following its remarks that Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s comments regarding the state’s response to the Cherry Tree Lane massacre in Clarendon have “dangerous undertones”.

Holness, who was speaking at a press conference on Monday, August 12, said the perpetrators of the shooting, which claimed the lives of eight people and injured nine others, would be brought to justice, in whatever form justice is visited upon them.

However, Executive Director of JFJ, Mickel Jackson, expressed concerns about the prime minister’s comments, noting that they could incite the possibility of reprisal.

Young Jamaica in a recent statement said the designation of the Holness’s comments as having “dangerous undertones” suggests that the administration is overstepping in its efforts to combat organised violence.

It said JFJ’s remarks are not only misguided but irresponsible.

“Young Jamaica strongly condemns the narrative being pushed by JFJ as it fails to consider the profound impact of gang violence on these innocent lives and instead seems to prioritise the rights of criminals over the rights and safety of law-abiding citizens.

“Organised criminal networks have wreaked havoc, committing heinous acts of violence against men, women, and children alike. The recent act of terror in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, is a tragic reminder of the scale and intensity of organised crime,” it added.

Meanwhile, Young Jamaica said it is confident in the court system’s ability to deliver justice and the security forces’ ability to sufficiently neutralise and defend themselves against criminals, within the law.

President of Young Jamaica, Rohan Walsh, said: “The efforts of all well-thinking Jamaicans at this time must be focused on supporting actions to restore law and order. As a people, we have been fighting crime for far too long, and we must reject any attempts to weaken our resolve in this fight.

“These utterances from JFJ at this time are not only premature and baseless but also risk emboldening those who seek to destabilize our communities, our society, and our country.”