The Editor, Sir:

I am touched, moved and inspired by Chocolate Allen of Trinidad and Tobago and her fast against crime to challenge her country, our neighbour island state.

Powerful action by the seemingly powerless - a child, a female, of the middle-class yes, but not a member of any government, just an 'ordinary citizen'!

It just goes to show, we really can take action. We can do something. Here in Jamaica, we must sit up and take note. I encourage all organisations, state and voluntary, involved in the peace movement in Jamaica to continue even more vigorously and visibly this year to continue this work - the Peace Management Initiative, Women's Media Watch (working against gender-based violence), Violence Prevention Alliance, the Strong Women of Trench Town, the government ministries responsible for security and justice.

Let us too set a goal of a 100 per cent crime-free Jamaica for 2007 and the rest of the decade. What a vision!

I am, etc.,

PATRICIA DONALD

patricia.donald@yahoo.com

c/o Women's Media Watch

14 South Avenue, Kingston 10

Via Go-Jamaica