Scenes from the impromptu Jouvert in Dutch Quarter.
DUTCH QUARTER--On what would have been Jouvert Morning if St. Maarten Carnival had gone ahead as planned and in the face of the 24-hour curfew imposed by government, dozens of Dutch Quarter residents left their homes early Monday morning and danced in the street behind a car blaring the sounds of St. Maarten’s own No Limit Band.
The impromptu “Jouvert” occurred sometime between 12:00am and 1:00am. It left many St. Maarten residents in disbelief as videos of the event circulated widely on social media.
Even Prime Minister and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Chairperson Silveria Jacobs commented on one of the videos. “Well well well,” said Jacobs in one post, followed by a question, “So nobody listens anymore?”
The roughly 20 to 30 revellers seemed to have planned out the event in minute detail. The car they were jamming behind had large speakers mounted to its roof, and the persons dancing behind it donned traditional Jouvert attire. Some revellers threw baby powder into the air and others held palm branches above their heads, swaying to the sweet music.
Shortly after it began, police were called to break-up the event. This sent the revellers scattering in the darkness, ending their brief moment of rebellion. At least three police vehicles were seen in the area.
Police have yet to disclose whether any of the curfew-breaking partiers were arrested or fined.
