Spice Empathizes With Unruly Crowd That Prematurely Ended Her Back-To-School Event

Dancehall artist Spice said that she could empathize with the crowd of mainly mothers, who became disorderly at an event on Friday (August 5) organized by her foundation.

The entertainer shared her feelings about the event in an Instagram Live shortly afterwards, noting that she understood why the crowd began pushing and charging towards the front of the venue, where she was distributing book vouchers valued at 5,000 JMD.

“I understand because at the end of the day, I know that people was pushing because they wanted, obviously, to get to the front. I know that people were pushing because they wanted the envelope; so I definitely understand,” Spice said.

Spice further added that she was particularly saddened because of the many mothers who stood in line for several hours and were subsequently turned away without a voucher, noting that in times past she and her mother had stood in similar lines during the back-to-school season.

Sharing that she still had more than a million dollars in vouchers left due to the event ending prematurely, Spice used her virtual platform to ask for suggestions on how she could better organize the event to facilitate the moms in need but make it more orderly, noting that despite the chaos she wasn’t giving up.

“In my head I’m thinking should I find a way how to make there be an entrance and exit and then people just leave rather than having a big gathering, because I know that I have a huge following. So, obviously if I announce something there’s going to be a large turnout. So, I think we’re kind of past that stage where me can expect small amounts of people. But again, I am not mad. I just want us to chime in and see how we can do this together,” she said.

“We’re definitely going to give these out guys. I love you guys. And like I said, I’m not going to stop. I’m going to try to make it bigger and better every year as we go by and, more organized. Thanks again to the Jamaica Constabulary Force; they were amazing today. They helped me out extremely, a lot. Police officers was leaving the venue with people who was fainting or passing out because of the capacity. So, I really, really want to big up the Jamaica Constabulary Force; they did an amazing job today, I truly love you guys. Thank you, together we are stronger. Feel free to leave your comments and let me know how better you think we can issue these out, as well as, for next year how we can make it more better and more organized,” she added.

Spice also used the occasion to thank the sponsors of the event which included Burger King, Little Caesars Pizza and fellow artist Jada Kingdom, among the many donors who used Cash App to make their contributions.

The Grace Hamilton Women Empowerment Foundation was established in 2018 and hosts a signature back-to-school event for mothers in need on an annual basis.

While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the event for the last two years, this school year the foundation plans to distribute close to 5,000,000 JMD in back-to-school support.