DAROLD Miller speaks to Minister of Labour Shane Gibson. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
“PUT Bahamians first!” “This land is my land!” shouted scores of protesters yesterday as they gathered in Rawson Square to demand equal rights for Bahamians.
As Members of Parliament entered the House of Assembly for their Wednesday meeting, the crowd jeered and chanted: “No more foreigners – it’s time for us to get a chance!”
The shouting grew louder when Prime Minister Perry Christie arrived in the Square. Despite attempts from the crowd to get his attention, Mr Christie, surrounded by police officers, walked into the House without speaking to them. Talk show host Darold Miller, organizer of the march to parliament, reminded the crowd that the march was not about politics or gambling, it was about equal rights. Mr Miller said God had spoken to him and told him it was time for him to speak up for equal rights for Bahamians.
“This is a march of equal opportunity. This is not about me, I am only the messenger. This is about the Bahamian people. It is time for us to stand up for ourselves. This is not about numbers, this is not about gambling. We need to seize the opportunity and reclaim our land. We climb the mountain of economic apartheid and with God’s help we will get there,” he said.
Democratic National Alliance Leader, Branville McCartney congratulated the protesters for their efforts and said it is time for the present government to step down or be voted out. “I understand that in the House of Assembly today they are discussing Majority Rule. Now Majority rule goes back to 1967 when in fact the PLP indicates that they were the ones, who in fact, ushered in Majority Rule. Today, in 2013, the actions of this administration over the last 11 months have wiped away what their forefathers said about Majority Rule. When you are going to put to the Bahamian people legislation, when you are going to act in a way that is not to the benefit of Bahamians, not withstanding the fact that you say you believe in the Bahamas, when you have persons from another country draft documentation, draft legislation, to prohibit Bahamians from doing something that other persons can come to do that is a travesty,” he said.
“As a matter of fact if this was some other country they would have asked this government to resign,” said Mr Miller. “As a matter of fact we need to get to the stage where we ask for them to resign for not looking out for the Bahamian people. They need to step down. Perry Christie and the rest. They don’t know what they are doing. One year later and they have shown that they are not the bridge to the future. They do not believe in Bahamians and one year later they have shown that they do not put Bahamians first.”
Deputy Leader of the FNM, Loretta Butler Turner stopped to speak to the crowd before entering the House, she said it is obvious that the PLP is a government for itself and not the people.
“They haven’t created any jobs and they haven’t saved any homes,” she said. “They haven’t done anything they promised to do for the Bahamian people and so the reality is we now see that this government is nothing but a farce. We have been hoodwinked. Majority rule is supposed to be about the people and about democracy and this is totally undemocratic and what this government is certainly doing is giving a slap in the face to the Bahamian people and showing they have no regard whatsoever about democracy.” Former Senator Dr Duane Sands also spoke to the crowd. “The power of the country is not across the street,” he said, “it lies within the people of this country. This is about the pockets of the PLP and the underhanded deals they have cut with so many different people and unless Bahamians understand that they must stand up for their rights and the rights of their children, this country will have no future. So I want to commend you today because we need our government and our Prime Minister to understand that he has lost sight of why he was elected.”
Comments
Louise 10 years, 11 months ago
OK first things first - DNA and FNM are now using this as a means to get in the forefront and hopefully win the next election..........but all of the political parties are the same so I don't listen to their ramblings.
Secondly - did you guys REALLY shout NO MORE FOREIGNERS on the main street where foreigners spend their money and visit our shores...............I think we are looking to be the next HAITI...........economy down the drain, poverty worse than ever - and that will not be good for any of us!
jackflash 10 years, 11 months ago
Yes,
I was there, they chanted , 'No more foreigners'!
The cruise ship passengers felt very uncomfortable and most stayed on the ships.
I am sure it is all over facebook..
pilgrimagerock 10 years, 11 months ago
If this ANTI-FOREIGNERS bashing continues for four more years, the Bahamas would be like HAITI and CUBA.
TalRussell 10 years, 11 months ago
Congratulations to Comrade Darold for accomplishing one thing at his yesterday "crawl.". He at least got Leader Minnis, one of his "political" red shirts speakers to announce another "about-face" on gambling. How many times is it now that this man has changed his position on gambling?
Still Darold keeps on insisting that he told the politicians or anyone associated with a gambling message to stay far away from his "thing?" Was Minnis the only politician there? isn't DNA leader Bran, another speaker, still a politician?
I think what he realy meant is, if you're opposed to PM Christie, grab yourself a live microphone?
You do know there is audio?
by TalRussell
pilgrimagerock 10 years, 11 months ago
Minnis always supported gambling and he would have voted YES if your party did not have a HORSE in the RACE.
islander242 10 years, 11 months ago
This epidemic of loud mouth, ignorant, old fashion, biggity Bahamians needs to stop it is ruining us.
dacy 10 years, 11 months ago
why did parry take the mic...oh yeah he "he was not aware"
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
what are we going on about ,,of the 8000 workers at atlantis there is 74 on work permits ,,i don,t think that will solve our unemployment problem ..IT IS SIMPLE WE ARE PRODUCING CHILDREN FASTER THAN OUR GDP ,OR ANY FOR THAT MATTER ,CAN CREATE JOBS ,,AND SUFFICE TO SAY THE PEOPLE HAVEING THE MOST CHILDREN ARE THE UNDEREDUCATED ...we are making unemployable offspring faster than our economy can absorb them ..SIMPLE MATH ..
jackflash 10 years, 11 months ago
Education - I thought they said they were going to double the education budget! Oh, sorry, that was just rally talk - now they lowered the budget..
Silly us...
islander242 10 years, 11 months ago
That is so true - way too many uneducated reproducing
blueothello 10 years, 11 months ago
The worst of Bahamians really was on display yesterday. To go out and march is fine, but when you march against international interests that are here, and those foreign workers that are here, it speaks to xenophobia and ultra-nationalism. Marching every 30 days isn't going to change anything, it won't drop jobs and opportunities into our laps. If we want jobs and opportunities for ourselves and for our children, then we make sure we get educated and trained properly, whether it is here, or overseas, and get qualified for the jobs here. Which we haven't done.
When we point fingers and scapegoat others for our problems, it means we aren't really looking at ourselves. This country, for years, has had an education system that is probably is one of the worst in the region. How do you expect for our children to be successful when they don't even have a proper education. When some of these kids leave school they can't read read, write or comprehend at the proper level. They don't know how to do simple mathematics, and their attitude is poor. Who is going to employ someone like that?
There's no point pointing at the foreigners and blaming them. They have their education and expertise. What do we have? They only took the job because YOU and YOU and YOU didn't want to do what needed to be done to get the job. When we kick out the foreigner, they will take their education and their experience elsewhere, which is the point of the march in the end, isn't it? Let's stop playing the victim here; foreigners aren't oppressing or discriminating against Bahamians, it's us. We are the ones who are our own worst enemy and we are the ones who are still trapped in mental slavery. Until we learn that lesson, we will always be wondering how and why we got here.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
like i said ,there are 8000 employees at Atlantis and only 74 are non Bahamian on work permits ,,xenophopia and false nationalist posturing are great as distractions but do little to correct the problems ..we have been blessed by proximity to the U/S and the U/S embargo on Cuba ,,it has gone to our heads and made even the least educated amongts us arrogant ,therefore unteachable ,,as a Bahamian i no longer have great hopes and dread the day Cuba opens ,,
gangof4 10 years, 11 months ago
Post of the week. I couldn't have said it any better.
For the last decade or more we have been producing D- students from seriously dysfunctional families ("........'das my baby daddy!!") with little to no skills to function and compete in today's global economy. And now, because of a complete breakdown in our educational institutions and family dynamics, the consequences are rampant xenophobia, skyrocketing crime and significant social unrest. What's particularly appalling is the glee with which certain politicians have latched onto anti-foreign feeling (never mind that the most successful and largest employers in this country AREN"T Bahamian) and exploit it - without the slightest concern for the implications for the nation's economy. If they get what they say they wish for.... good luck!
hj 10 years, 11 months ago
@concernedcitizen...we don't have to wait for Cuba to open,we are doing a fine job at destroying ourselves
TalRussell 10 years, 11 months ago
Comrades there seems be such a variety of bubb'lin taking place on this Tribune blog?
The crowds showed up for the Numbers March on Bay Street and for the Numbers "Bosses" Rally at Arawak Cay and there it had a lot to do with handing out Free HD TV's and $50 notes, free t shirts, flags, beverages to suit your taste and food buds.
Only in Bahamaland do they hold the Bible in one hand and use the other to log onto the web shops computers, to pick what they pray will be their your lucky numbers.
by TalRussell
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
God has become their personal handicapper ,sending them numbers in their dreams ,,what a really twisted approach we have to religion ,,the preachers use the same modum as the politicians ,,the us aagaints them cry to rally the masses ,,sad so many sheeple ,,
SP 10 years, 11 months ago
First of all, as one that voted DNA I can now say Branville McCartney is not what we need as he is just another democratic dictator that agrees Bahamians should not be allowed the freedom of gambling in casinos.
Secondly, Loretta Butler Turner as FNM minister of social services in justifying the FNM issuing $40M in work permits to blue collar workers proclaimed Bahamians as unemployable drug and alcohol abusers.....Remember???
So where are we now?
Perry Christie's PLP is dead in the water and obviously cannot be trusted.
The DNA under Branville McCartney is no longer an option.
Loretta Butler Turner and the FNM remain totally off the table.
The only sensible solution left is for us to put our heads together and form another political party consisting of trustworthy individuals from all three wacko parties and others.
We must now very seriously examine Bermudas' example, as they had the same 40 years of corrupt political stupidity to sort out as well.
Bermuda resolved the problem by forming a 3rd party (OBA) "One Bermuda Alliance" which won the government December 2012 and IMMEDIATELY made sweeping changes to the benefit of the majority, not just the chosen normal few friends family and lovers.
Review "OBA" website below. Bermuda is now rooting out decades of corruption shared by their PLP & UBP.
http://www.oba.bm/index.php/our-plan">http://www.oba.bm/index.php/our-plan
The Bahamas needs to do the same if we are to move the country forward for the betterment of all.
Collin 10 years, 11 months ago
SP... why don't you go to Bermuda. You disregard and disrespect everything we Bahamians represent politically and daily praise Bermuda as though they are perfect.
Please develop rationale arguments, so at least we can have a reasoned discussion about the progress of our country.
tuf00682 10 years, 11 months ago
I am proud to see my people standing up for something. Way to go but be careful what you ask for. This is a march of equal opportunity. Last time I checked, in today's world equal opportunity is most relative towards gays and the LGBTQ community. I understand that The Bahamas has a growing LGBTQ Community everybody knows at least one gay person whether it be a close relative or someone in the job market. Are you truly advocating equality and rights for Bahamians? If this equality isn't inclusive of gay rights then I say change your wordage. 'Then let it be we wan play numba's' or what ever colloquialism is suited for this environment.
pilgrimagerock 10 years, 11 months ago
Those people who were protesting for equal opportunity was NOT standing up for the LGBT wicked agenda.
tuf00682 10 years, 11 months ago
Exactly they weren't! Well don't use the phrase "equal opportunity for all Bahamians!" because clearly it is only equal opportunity for some! Equal spands far beyond gay in The Bahamas because there are second generations of Bahamians of Haitian descent who face inequality; because of there ancestry but does this phrase of equal opportunity apply to them? Of course not! All I am saying if you are going to say something as political as equal opportunity for all then be 100% EQUAL FOR ALL BAHAMIANS or rephrase your argument.
bismark 10 years, 11 months ago
I think we are being unreasonable and not fair to the teachers of this country,majority of them do a damn good job,what they are not compensated for,i came up through the public education system and I fared well,the majority of these kids do not want to learn,simple.you know why?the parent probably dropped out of school at a young age to bear them so to hell with an education,i graduated in 1990 during on of the most crucial times in our history,jobs were almost non existant at that time,but today,even though jobs are scarce,they are out there if you are qualified.nobody is going to hire you just because you are a Bahamian,you need at least a basic education and we are lacking in that area,but I hope we as a people get it together,because this still is the best little place in the world despite our problems and I believe things will get better for all if we move forward as one.
TimeForChange 10 years, 11 months ago
I agree but this country is not going to move anywhere anytime soon until Bahamians can learn to get along with their own fellow Bahamians. We talk about the foreigners coming and taking what should be the Bahamians but when you see another Bahamian trying to make it what do you do you go and take that from them! But if we all look at the foreigners living or working here look at how they act with each other they share what they have if my brother don't have it and I have it then I share it with them. But Bahamians don't know what it means to share anything they want to take what you have simply because they don't want you to have any more than them. I have seen Haitians sharing jobs working together, the Chinese share their wealth among themselves! But not here Bahamians don't even know how to get along with another person they would hate you just because your skin color is different and it happens daily. So if we expect this country to go forward then we as Bahamians and I mean both black and white need to learn to get along with each other. Stop dividing the country we were all born on the same soil!
BahamasGamingAssociation 9 years, 10 months ago
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...
WHICH ON OF THE BELOW REIGNS SUPREME IN THE BAHAMAS?
The Bahamas Lottery and Gaming Act Chapter 387 Section 50 Persons prohibited from Gaming
Or
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Chapter III – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Individual. Section 26 Protection from Discrimination on grounds of Race, Place of Origin etc.
The Bahamas Gaming Association stands by the Ideology that all human beings who are 18 years or older should be treated equally in all sectors of the Bahamian Economy which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
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