On Sunday 12 July and Wednesday 15 July – the day States members are expected to vote on whether to bring in GST – there will be peaceful protests against bringing in the tax, which organisers Lars Janssen and Dominic Naermont argue is not fair.
‘Lars and I have seen that there has been a huge public outcry for people who don’t want this,’ said Mr Naermont.
‘It’s a regressive tax, and it’s not really fair, I don’t think.’
Mr Janssen said it was an important issue.
‘I want to make people aware that if you accept or give in today, that’s not just one moment – GST is going to be there for the rest of your life and for future generations and that I think is the much bigger concern because going back is probably never going to happen,’ Mr Janssen added.
Both agreed that they would like to see deputies vote against GST as a result of the public response, but that the States even looking into other options would be a positive outcome.
‘The only other option that’s been looked at is corporate tax,’ said Mr Naermont.
The first demonstration will take place on Sunday 12 July to allow people to get involved who have to work on the day of the vote.
‘When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you literally cannot afford to lose a day at work, so we said let’s do it on a Sunday. That way, we get a physical representation of all the people who actually really don’t agree with this,’ said Mr Naermont.
So far the response to the campaign, Island-wide Strike, has been largely positive, they said, and Mr Janssen has also heard from deputies after he wrote an open letter.
‘The letter I wrote, which I shared with all the deputies, I got a response to, a positive response, and I also obviously had people who are more in favour of GST who responded with their feedback and why they think it’s a good idea,’ he said.
‘Deputies have reached out and said, “hey, we want to meet up to talk about it and also join to be a speaker”. So that’s all great.’
They are in contact with the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate coordination and arrangements are in place for the protests.
Once confirmed, details will be posted on Island-wide Strike Guernsey on Facebook.
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