St. Vincent Parliament ban alcohol from funeral processions

St Vincent’s parliament has passed legislation making it illegal to consume alcohol during funeral processions, effective immediately.

The new law, however, does not extend to alcohol consumption within cemeteries due to challenges in defining cemetery boundaries. On Tuesday, 13 government lawmakers, including Attorney General Grenville Williams, supported the bill. The new law imposes a fine of up to EC$200 for violations. The opposition did not back the bill, arguing that while they do not support alcohol consumption during funeral processions, the law could create more issues than it resolves. Opposition Leader Godwin Friday, who opposed the bill, was absent during the vote.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who introduced the Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, described the legislation as straightforward. He explained that the law makes it an offence to possess or consume alcohol in a funeral procession along highways, roads, or other thoroughfares.