By S. Browne. Updated 1:59 p.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Shefflorn and Ann-Marie Ballantyne, two teachers dismissed under the government’s vaccine mandate of 2021, have written a book to chronicle the Vincentian chapter of the COVID-19 ‘pandemic’. The husband and wife have pledged never to let Vincentians forget the “evil” that they say was done to workers four years ago on November 19th through Statutory Rules and Orders (SR&O) implemented under the Ralph Gonsalves-led Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration.
The book, I Do Not Consent, traces the history of the mandate and its reported devastating effects on the lives and livelihoods of workers.
“In the wee hours of the morning of August 6, 2021, government lawmakers argued for and defended amendments to the Public Health Act. That paved the way for a wicked, draconian mandate. Through this book, we are ensuring that the actions of the ULP politicians are recorded in the annals of Vincentian history as the worst SVG government in living memory because of their anti-conscience law and behaviour towards workers and their families in this country,” the couple explained.
Among other features, the 14-chapter book highlights personal stories of alleged vaccine injury, testimonies of public- and private-sector workers who were dismissed for refusing to take a COVID-19 injection, the contribution of the trade unions and lawyers involved in the case, the role of government, the concept of Liberty of Conscience, and updates on COVID-19 ‘vaccines’ and related issues from world-renowned medical doctors.
In March 2023, High Court Judge Esco Henry ruled in favour of the workers, stating that the government’s rules were “unlawful, unconstitutional, ultra vires, disproportionate and tainted by procedural impropriety”. The government decided to appeal the decision and later won 2–1 at the Court of Appeal on February 12, 2025. The workers applied to the court for leave to take the matter to the Privy Council and were granted leave last Thursday, November 13.
The duo stated that their intention is not only to recall recent Vincentian history of what they describe as the government’s “asinine mandate” but also to encourage Vincentians to cherish their Liberty of Conscience by rejecting attempts from any government to dominate conscience through mandating any substance. The teachers affirm that “Liberty of Conscience is a gift from God that no government or anyone should be allowed to violate.”
Shefflorn’s book-writing journey began in 2016 when he published Immortality, Death and the Hereafter. Since then, he has published three books, including the controversial children’s book No Dress for Timmy, which was banned twice on Amazon before its restoration in 2024. Ann-Marie’s first book was Vegan Delight, a recipe book published in 2018 on Amazon.
I Do Not Consent is the first book the couple is co-authoring. It will be launched online today to commemorate the November 19th “Nightmare” of 2021, when more than 500 government workers were forced out of their jobs. The Kindle version of the book will be available for free download from Amazon. A local face-to-face launch is planned for the upcoming year, when hard copies of the book will be available to the public.
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This information was sourced from a press release sent to us by Mrs. Ann-Marie Ballantyne.
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