By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
POLICE and Immigration officials are investigating inflammatory remarks made by a shanty town resident during a demolition which were broadcast on ZNS last week, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.
The unedited version of the man’s interview spread quickly over social media over the weekend, leaving many people angry. In the video, the resident said there are more Haitian Bahamians than Bahamians in this country and told Bahamians not to start something they could “not finish”.
However, Mr Mitchell said while authorities were taking the threat seriously, he urged Bahamians not to give in to hysteria over the issue. The minister told the public to allow the Department of Immigration and police to investigate the matter.
“It is important for us to take a deep breath and not get too carried away by what one individual says,” Mr Mitchell said at a press conference at his ministry yesterday.
“The fact is that this is not a (new) policy, either the removal of the shanty towns or the question of whether you have permission to live or work in the Bahamas. It’s not a question which is aimed at any specific national group and we should refrain from pointing it in that direction because it is not.”
“The matter is a generic policy which applies to all non-nationals who are in the country and we’ve also said that we’re moving in the direction of a national identity card for everyone who is here. So some people may say some things which are emotional and get a bit carried away (but) the authorities will determine what the intent behind those statements are.”
During a demolition of a shanty town off Joe Farrington Road last week, one irate resident warned that clearing down communities like these could lead to reprisal from the Haitian community.
A video of the unedited interview was posted on Facebook which sparked heated criticism and commentary.
“Where they want the people them go?” the shanty town resident asked. “They want them be homeless .. they want them go on the streets, eh? You see what I saying? It’s people like them (that) cause people do bad things on the streets. Like how I saying, how I feeling is putting a Colombian neck-tie on these (people) man.”
He was using slang for killing someone by cutting their throat.
“They got to understand it’s more Haitian Bahamians in this country than (expletive) Bahamians ... and we ain’t scared. They ain’t want start up something that they can’t finish.”
Mr Mitchell said the man’s remarks should not prompt Bahamians to respond in kind.
“Notwithstanding the inflammatory nature of the remarks, all patriotic Bahamians and law-abiding non-nationals in this country should refrain from responding in this matter in a way which would approximate taking matters into your own hands,” the Fox Hill MP said.
“This is a time for reasoned response. Let the authorities deal with it,” the minister added.
Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett also spoke on the matter at yesterday’s press conference.
He said the demolition of the structures in the area was “fast-tracked because of the high (number of) suspected cases of persons infected with chikungunya.”
“And as you know, the Ministry of Health indicated that we ought to move expeditiously to remove that threat from the potentially spread of chikungunya,” Mr Dorsett said. “So while it is a highly emotive issue, we are following the law and enforcing the law.
“But even in doing so, I think that the government has been incredibly reasonable and we work together with communities and the Ministry of Social Services and the minister (foreign affairs) in particular have taken a hands-on approach in dealing with these issues because we know how sensitive it is and we want to make sure that we do so as best as possible to ensure that we would not have these sort of reactions from persons who reside in the Bahamas.”
Comments
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
so guys, what is happening to the shanty town residents? do they evaporate into air? Problem solved?
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
God knows. But the issue needs to be addressed. They cannot remain in the state they are in. If they are illegal they need to be deported.
Also, ANYONE DRIVING BY HAITIAN COMMUNITIES TO PICK UP CHEAP UNDOCUMENTED LABOUR SHOULD CEASE AND DESIST. they flock here and remain here because someone is supporting them. That someone is YOU (general you)
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
Unfortunately, this man probably spoke the sentiment of many in the Haitian community. The illegal Immigration problem is out of control. I'm 100% certain that some influential business people, in a "Get Rich Anyway You Can", "Why Does It Matter How You Make Your Money" cabal, who is at this minute rubbing shoulders with high society, is actively aiding their transport here. There is NO other way for their communities to grow so large
Look at the "businessman" caught importing stolen cars, guns and ammunition. I'm certain he does not see himself as contributing to a single murder or robbery in the country. PLP stalwart?
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Minister needs listen for he self. Comrade Freddy might also want tune-in live tonight to Da Guardian/Haitian talkie radio station's programming at 7:30 to 10 pm, to hear their take on this? If it's anything like how Baby Doc's "outstanding Leadership" was remembered - he best not tune-in? But do brush up on ya creole Haitian or you ain't going understand much what they be talking things in Bahamaland.
...........//https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2oo...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2oo...
duppyVAT 9 years, 6 months ago
Its called TREASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
That is what it's called. He's basically telling us the Bahamas belongs to Haitians. I'm sure he meant every word. FNM and PLP have no idea what their vote pandering is doing to their own children.
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Comrade unfortunately,. we award illegal listeners with their own 5-nights week talk show. If we had a multicultural radio station fine, but we don't. I challenge the Guardian to name just one radio station licensed under similar conditions who have dedicated their prime-time nightly programming to some foreigner language. And i suspect also listened to by many living and working in Bahamaland - all illegally? Comrades, if such a decision makes no marketing sense for a 'for profit' radio station, what else is behind managements programming decision?
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
Well I advise all yinna commenting here to stop talkin' out against wat one a dem "Haitian-Bahamians" in the community done say. Y'all mussy want people tink yinna xenophobic ay?!
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Comrade was it also a xenophobic reaction to Hait's president "Sweet Micky" to have suddenly appeared in the nation's capital on May 7, 2012., to rally thousands of Haitians and Haitian-Bahamalanders, just days after their friend Papa Hubert had rung da General Election bell? The people done dealt powerful blow to Papa on that matter.
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
Ya so right. And they gon deal another blow to this government!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
You don't have to be a xenophobe to see something wrong with what he said. Xenophobes see threats in ALL non-nationals whether or not any threat exists, this man issued an actual threat.
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
Tell me. Should Bahamians start speaking out to protect whatever little heritage is left for 'genuine' Bahamians, or should we let outsiders influence how we solve this vexing problem that has been rearing its ugly head for years. Now when I say genuine Bahamians, I am referring to people who live here, contribute to the building of this nation in some form or another, people who love peas 'n' rice, johnny cake, junkanoo, goombay music-People who feel proud when they see our world class athletes compete in international events-People whose hearts are broken when they ride around and see how our communities have diminished into pure ghetto rat invested slums.When we speak out we are perceived to be xenophobic. When countries such as Jamaica, Dominican Republic wage bloody war on those who invade their country illegally, they are considered to be countries that are upholding their sovereignty . So to protest peacefully equals xenophobia-I gat it now. http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/o..." rel="nofollow">http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/o...
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
Emac, "when we speak out we are perceived to be xenophobic". I firmly believe that if a country and its people are pride of their land, food, heritage it can not be xenophobic, unless you act, speak and mean all of this exclusive of others. If we Bahamians think we are better or closer to God than the Haitians (or anybody else) that would be a wrong exceptionalism and xenophobic. I do believe if our nation was strong, thriving, full of energy, jobs and good emotions, we would not have an immigration problem. The issue is, we act fearful, exclusive and angry, because we are afraid that someone is trying to take away what we have (or the Government is promising us). So here is the thing, we need to stop getting illegals to the islands, we need to determine which ones we want, we can use (yes we can be selfish) and that can help us build our nation and the others need to be sent home. We however also have to apply a sense of humanity. Don't send back children, that don't have any concept of a home other than the Bahamas. Keep them, raise them, show them the right way, how to work hard to build a Better Bahamas.
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
and elect a parliament that addresses the issues and gives us and our kids a long term perspective of economic prosperity in a ecological manner. The work stars inside the border and not only at the border.
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Comrades this has absolutely nothing to do with Haitians who have decided to legally 'adopt' the Bahamaland they met on their arrival, as their new home. But to carry on like some in the media are now acting, that this is but an isolated attitude by some lone wolf - is to play the fool. To behave like everything and everyone is against the Haitians as a people has become too prevalent among the Haitian community. Haiti's new president has boasted that his music was never political. President 'Sweet Micky' wants Bahamalanders to believe him when he tells them how he has always tried to make sure that people laughed and had fun. He never talks about how he as a musician provided the soundtrack for coups d'état. As President rallying his nationals in Bahamaland just moments before the 2012 General Elections, he never reminds his own nationals how he once hosted private parties for right-wing thugs accused of extrajudcial killings. Never mentions where he got his nickname from? Ask him, if he remembers Haiti's notorious Comrade Police Chief 'Sweet Micky,' later to be convicted of human rights abuses?
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
so are you making the case that Haitians here may be political refugees?
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Sorry, Comrade how in hall can you claim be "political refugees' when you show up in numbers estimated be in the thousands to answer to the rallying call of your nation's President 'Sweet Micky' on behalf his red shirts Papa Hubert? That is running right into the arms of danger, not from it. Did I get it right? Bahamaland's government should abolish the political refugee claims from Haiti?
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
................................................................SURPRISE....................................................................
PLP & FNM parties guilty of 41 year courtship with Haitians...........BACKFIRES!
Where is Papa & his # 1 mouth piece Daron Cash?
Diehard PLP & FNM supporters with the new Haitian-Colombian necktie ensemble.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 6 months ago
Like the native indians Christopher Columbus met when he discovered the Bahamas, we native Bahamians today will be wiped out tomorrow by the stranglehold the Haitian population (whether here legally or illegally) now has over us thanks to the Christie led PLP who continue to sell out our country by granting Bahamian citizenship to Haitians in exchange for their vote come election time.
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
Don't single out Christie and the PLP.
The most powerful Haitian in the country, Hubert Ingraham and the FNM are equally if not more so guilty of conspiring to displace indigenous Bahamians with Haitians.
Notice that Daron Cash who makes a statement on everything and the FNM are totally silent on any issue regarding Haitians!
We indigenous Bahamians have only ourselves to blame for being stupid enough to tribally follow the PLP & FNM even after 4 decades of begging them to stop courting Haitians.
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