Today is a national holiday in Jamaica, Labour Day. The following description of Labour Day was taken from Wikipedia:

Before 1961, May 24 was celebrated in Jamaica as Empire Day in honour of the birthday of Queen Victoria and her emancipation of slaves in Jamaica. As its name suggests, the day was used to celebrate the British Empire and England, complete with flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of patriotic songs. In 1961, Jamaican Chief Minister Norman Washington Manley proposed the replacement of Empire Day with Labour Day, a celebration in commemoration of May 23, 1938, when Alexander Bustamante led a labour rebellion leading to Jamaican independence.

Until May 23, 1971, Labour Day was primarily a trade unions celebration with public rallies and marches. On occasion, opposing trade unions clashed on this day, so in 1972, Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley promoted Labour Day as a showcase for the importance of labour to the development of Jamaica, and a day of voluntary community participation to beneficial projects. Since then, Labour Day has not only been a public holiday, but also a day of mass community involvement around the country.

What is up with all the violence in JA. It has reach international news warning people not to go there.

Today May 24, is also a national holiday in Canada - Victoria Day.

I thought the Calabash Festival weekend was a long weekend in Jamaica with the Monday being a public holiday.

Yes, there is a great deal of violence and unrest in Western Kingston, other parts of Kingston, and a report in Spanish Town earlier today. I've just spent the last two hours watching the local news shows on TVJ and CVM and it is very important to note, no other areas of Jamaica have had any reported issues.

I would recommend if you have plans to fly in and out of the Norman Manley (Kingston) Airport tomorrow or for the next few days you should call the airlines to find out the situation as several flights were cancelled flying into and departing Kingston today.

The traffic at the Montego Bay Airport was unaffected.

The following are links to various news sources which will provide you with more information on what is currently going on.

The Gleaner:
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/

The Observer:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/

RJR News:
http://news.radiojamaica.com/

News Talk:
http://www.newstalk.com.jm/index.html

CVM TV:
http://www.cvmtv.com/

TVJ:
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/

Let us all join together in our thoughts and prayers in an effort to seek a resolution to this situation and bring order and peace back to these affected areas as quickly as possible.

Of course, this situation is the talk on the street. Everyone is very concerned and watching for developments. Otherwise, it was business as usual for Labour Day in TB. I did take some photos of community activities and I will post them tomorrow.

I was at a friend's house watching the news tonight as I do not have a TV. I just walked home from there with the moonlight lighting my way. I passed a friend on the road and we stopped to chat, of course, discussing what is happening in Kingston. We both recognized how very fortunate we were to just be hearing the cicadas, frogs, dogs barking and reggae music playing somewhere in the distance while enjoying the moonlight. Let us all remember those who are not as fortunate as us tonight.

Many Treasure Beach residents showed up to give a helping hand in true Labour Day fashion at the Sports Park yesterday.

Men, women and children worked together and great progress was made on the building of the bathroom facility and cleaning up of the grounds.

Thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful show of volunteerism and in keeping the Labour Day tradition strong.

You can view photos of the day here or by the link in the Photo Gallery

Dear Canada,
Calabash Festival weekend has always coincide with a long weekend in the US with the Monday being Memorial Day.