Mocha Fest Venue Operators Rick’s Cafe Charged Following Dancehall Artists Outcry
Days after Dancehall selector Boom Boom declared that the wayward organizers of the illegal Mocha Fest party and the gallivanting tourists in attendance should have been arrested and charged, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has revealed that persons associated with the hosting of the event have been prosecuted.
The announcement follows headline news this morning that the Mocha Fest venue, Ricks Café in Negril’s West End, had been allowed to reopen, which had resulted in expressions of outrage by some Dancehall stakeholders, who thought that Rick’s Café had gotten slap on the wrist unlike Beenie Man, who had been punished for staging an illegal event.
Ricks Café was ordered closed on May 28 amid public indignation over the Moca Fest party which was staged there, days earlier. Action was taken after a video surfaced on social media showing a multitude of patrons, having a grand time at the venue, with no masks and not practicing physical distancing, all in contravention of Jamaica’s COVID-19 prevention protocols.
Minister McKenzie made the disclosure about the charges, while addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing this morning.
According to Radio Jamaica News, McKenzie said no entertainment permit was granted to the promoters of Mochafest.
However, Mochafest has been advertising their 2022 staging, with some patrons wailing that on particular hotel associated with the event was already booked out.
Days ago on its official Instagram page, Mocha Fest organizers blamed the Jamaican media for “making it look bad”, after a follower posted that foreigners hand been gallivanting in the country while nations had to sit home and twiddle their thumbs.
“Mocha Fest has been in Jamaica for 7 years. Jamaicans have always been welcomed and as a matter of fact, every year we’ve created special JMD pricing for local residents to make it more affordable for Jamaicans to attend. That narrative was created by the local media and others that is trying to make us look bad. The reason behind us isolating the experience this year is obvious. However, we can choose to believe whatever we want,” the Mocha Fest organisers declared defiantly.
But in the press briefing today, McKenzie said the charges were brought yesterday, after the police conducted investigations and question and answer sessions with the management of Ricks Café along with their attorneys.
“The incident at Ricks Café was just one portion of the measured that the government has when anyone, individuals or establishment violates the protocols. I would like to also advise the country, that other actions have been taken against the management of Ricks Café.
“There have been questions as to whether or not the police have I have intervened in this matter and I can say with certainty, that charges have been brought…,” McKenzie said.
Speaking on a Star Chat episode which was aired on Saturday, Boom Boom had declared that closure of Rick’s Café was not the only punishment that should be meted out to those involved in the staging of Mocha Fest.
“Well mi naw seh di pace fi lock dung alone enuh. All a dem tourist deh fi charge. Dem fi guh inna di truck an dem fi guh a court and whosoever organize dah party deh, him fi guh inna di front part inna di paper,” Boom Boom had said.
“Find dem and wi charge dem, same way like how dem do to Beenie Man and Elephant Man and Bad Boy Trevor and di rest a promoter dem an di res a celebrity dem, di people who own di hotel or whosoever organize di event, dem need fi deh pon di front part a di paper meck everybaddy can si. Dat wi call justice! Because if wi nuh si dis happen, wi jus a guh talk an it die dung and di nine day talk dem. These people are so disrespectful,” he scoffed.
Mocha Fest had bragged on its page almost week ago, that there were no positive COVID cases resulting from its week-long party series in Negril.
However, followers raised questions about their announcement a week ago, arguing that their announcement was premature as the virus had a 14-day incubation period.
“Because we have the data. Not one person tested positive. It’s documented,” the Mochafest organizers wrote in response to one question.
When tiffany_fisher_88 noted: “Call me slow but doesn’t it take 14 days before symptoms start to show @mochafest don’t y guys think it’s premature acting like this,” the party company responded: “Does it take 14 days? And you know this as a fact. All guests had to do a test to return home. We are just reporting the results. Not here to argue with you about the science. Talk to the experts.”