Obie Wilchcombe
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
TOURISM Minister Obie Wilchcombe yesterday warned protestors to be mindful of their actions during the Black Friday march and occupation of downtown Bay Street as the American Embassy and US cruise ships have expressed security fears over the rapidly-growing demonstration set for the busy Thanksgiving weekend.
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe yesterday confirmed that the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) contacted the ministry to express concerns given the thousands of cruise ship passengers expected to be in port on Friday.
“On Friday, we have 17,000 visitors coming on cruise ships,” Mr Wilchcombe said, “the question was what should our vessels do?”
“So we told them after we spoke to the Commissioner of Police that we’re advising that we believe that we will be able to conduct business as usual,” he said, “and we certainly hope that’s understood by those involved in the protest.
“The democracy we do have has to be respected. The Royal Bahamas Police Force will be managing the protest and we’ve assured the cruise lines that visitors can arrive and all will be well.”
Mr Wilchcombe said: “We will have to see [impact] because this is a Thanksgiving weekend, a big weekend for tourism. We have to pray God all goes well and that the visitors continue on their trip and don’t alter their plans because of the warning. We’re hoping we’re able to get through this situation.”
The US Embassy yesterday highlighted the proposed 12-hour occupation of downtown Bay Street as part of a series of crime warnings, and warned that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn “confrontational and escalate to violence”.
To that end, the Embassy advised US citizens to “avoid the areas of the demonstrations, and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of large gatherings, protests or demonstrations” while in the Bahamas this week.
Mr Wilchcombe said: “We can never underestimate a warning, what we have to always do is ensure that our country is not seen as a country that frightens people away. We literally have to be concerned about it and it’s imperative for us to watch what’s going on. We also have a democracy and in a democracy certain things happen, how we manage ourselves that’s important.
“Just as the national anthem states ‘see how the world marks the manner of our bearing’, it is fundamentally important to recognize that the world is going to be watching us and if anything goes wrong the damage that could be impacted.”
The Royal Bahamas Police Force will be doing their best in their job,” he added, “at the end of the day we’re hoping we can get through this without incident and don’t create any issues.”
Promoted as a silent protest, “We March” will start at Arawak Cay at 1pm tomorrow.
From there, organisers will lead participants into downtown Nassau on their way to Parliament and remain there until 1am the following day.
The event, which has been posted on Facebook for much of the last two weeks, has attracted significant support from activists and civic organisations, including environmental group Raising Awareness about the Bahamas Landfill (RABL).
On Tuesday, Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson, along with National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) President John Pinder, who is also the president of the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU), called on workers to “make an effort” to be a part of the march in order to “demonstrate your rights as a Bahamian.”
Yesterday, Mr Wilchcombe said he felt that organizers should have first met with the government to discuss its campaign, suggesting that many of the concerns listed are at various stages of redress by the government.
“The issues that I think are being raised are issues that can be discussed with the government,” he said.
“Opportunities should be sought to discuss issues and subsequent if they weren’t satisfied, then demonstrate. But in a democracy you can’t tell people that they can’t do something, but I do believe sometimes we are ignoring the reality of the importance of dialogue.
“We looked at a letter sent to the Prime Minister and most of those issues are being addressed either in the national plan or as we speak.
“At the end of the day,” he said, “what is the objective? We’re seeking to work together to resolve the issues, you help me to understand the issues.”
The event’s social media page further outlines a 17-point petition of demands for lawmakers, among which includes: a referendum on term limits for MPs and the prime minister; the introduction of a national lottery; waste management reform; and to strip the Cabinet posts of Jerome Fitzgerald, minister of education, and V Alfred Gray, minister of agriculture and marine resources.
Other demands listed on the event’s social media page were: “Cancel all negotiations on these Chinese fishing, agriculture and forestry ventures and issue our Crown land to our people with an annual lease fee. Implement Marco’s Law immediately to protect our children from predators.
“Show us the $600 plus million from VAT. Enact laws to empower civil society organisations in hurricane relief efforts and community development. Enforce public disclosure and advise the commissioner of police to arrest any MP that has failed to disclose.
It continued: “Table a bill to introduce an all-Bahamian cruise industry with vessels owned by Bahamians only. Lift the moratorium on taxi plates and end the practice of leasing plates, which is truly a form of indenture labour. Allow civil servants to participate in demonstrations and to have second sources of income. Cap the interest rates banks can charge on mortgages, personal loans and credit cards.”
According to lead organiser Ranard Henfield, protests are also expected to be staged simultaneously in Grand Bahama, Abaco, as well as in New York and Toronto, Canada. The march will be broadcast via Periscope and Facebook Live, according to officials.
For the upcoming march, participants have been asked to wear black clothing and not take part in any media interviews.
Comments
sealice 7 years, 4 months ago
I really want to say something but it would be blocked for inciting violence, sorry 17,000 cruise ship tourists we Bahamians have to get some crap out of politics and we start doing it tomorrow whomever is downtown!!!
LeslieM 7 years, 4 months ago
Obie Wilchcombe is warning protestors to be mindful of their actions, how about warning yourself along with all of your other ministers including the Prime Minister of worthless governance of our country.
LeslieM 7 years, 4 months ago
The DNA will be the Government for the Bahamian People come 2017. PLP is finish and the FNM lost its way. The FNM made to many bad decisions during their time in governance that really hurt our economy. Minnis supported those decision, such as 1. No Bahamians need apply for certain contracts in the Bahamas. 2. Sale of BTC for a Rip-off price to foreigners, 3. Property Removalble Act, 4. Bad Banking Laws and regulations, 5. Moratorium Bahamian Own Banks, 6. Moratorium on Liquor Licenses to Bahamians, 7. Road works contracted to Foreigners, etc. The present leader of the FNM never said a word against any of these decision.
Cobalt 7 years, 4 months ago
I really dont understand Bahamian people. The Bahamas' form of government is not a dictatorship. Perry Christie and the PLP did not take the country over by force. Despite having a history of incompetence and failures, the PLP was voted into office by the Bahamian public thru the proper democratic process. What did the Bahamian public expect would happen when they voted for proven failure like Bernard Nottage, Shane Gibson, Perry Christie, and Phillip Davis??? The PLP government is doing exactly what every person with sense knew they would do..... "fail." Being upset with the Perry Christie led government is like keeping a stray dog in your house, then being upset when it deficates on your carpet. What else would you expect from stray animal? The PLP is doing what they have always done. Bahamians placed Perry Christie and his PLP in the seat of power. They need to go and march agaignst themselves.
Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago
True. But remember, some of the most notorious dictators of all time got voted in, Hitler included. If a public realizes its mistake, it must take immediate action to resolve it.
Cobalt 7 years, 4 months ago
Mistake??????? You can't resolve this mistake now. You have to wait until Election Day to attempt to rectify this problem. Like I said before..... Bahamians need to understand the importance of the general elections and realize that there is a five year price to pay when they do nonsense on Election Day.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 4 months ago
Under a normal Westminster Parliamentary System of Government, like the one in the U.K., Crooked Christie would have long ago been forced to step down. But sadly the leadership apparatus of our main political parties has been too easily corrupted by the likes of Crooked Christie, Arrogant Ingraham and more recently, Dimwit Minnis, and we have for the most part a dupable voting population incapable of discerning right from wrong. These three egocentric megalomaniacs (Christie, Ingraham and now Minnis) learned from Ruthless Pindling that only two things need be done to defeat our country's system of government and rule with impunity: (1) become a de facto dictator of their political party thereby enabling them to appoint candidates for elected office who are loyal to the party's leader above all else, including the well-being of the Bahamian people; and (2) dumb down the voters by granting citizenship to the poorest and least educated foreigners possible while at the same time creating and maintaining a D- public education system for the vast majority of future voters.
Cobalt 7 years, 4 months ago
Agreed.
B_I_D___ 7 years, 4 months ago
I seriously hope it is a peaceful demonstration...I think the intent of the march is just and good...I just have a really bad feeling that Bahamians being Bahamians will be idiots and not be able to conduct themselves in an orderly and peaceful manner. I'll gladly eat my words when the dust settles and it's over if there is not some outbreak in violence and/or people arrested.
Cobalt 7 years, 4 months ago
Bahamins need to understand the importance of election day, and that there is a five year price to pay for walking into their individual polling divisons and doing foolishness.
licks2 7 years, 4 months ago
IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE NATURE OF CIVIL UNREST IS THE DISRUPTION OR CIVIL ORDER. . .ITS THE UNREST OF THE PEOPLE AGAINST A SYSTEM THAT HAS TONE OUT THEIR CRIES. . .LIKE THIS GOVERNMENT HAS DONE!
SO DON'T ASK THE PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE IN A MAANNER SO THAT THERE BE NOT "UPSET" IN THE ORDER OF THINGS. . .KEEP BUSINESS AS USUAL!
That makes not sense. . .demonstration is the uprising to the "business as usual" where the people are ignored by those who are leading! LET THE LEADERS ADJUST THEIR CRAP. "Ha bout dat". . .
opulentwarrior 7 years, 4 months ago
"Rome wasn't made in a day" .. Be part of the solution & not the problem.
DonAnthony 7 years, 4 months ago
Large, peaceful demonstrations like I hope tomorrow's will be are really the only hope for needed, meaningful change in our Bahamas. We have been cursed with poor leaders and no statesmen whatsoever since independence. Simply elites on both sides who put private interests ( their own) above the common good, and we are now paying the price of forty plus years of corruption and abuse. I am hopeful that change will come because with our debt, and crime our backs are against the wall, frightened too because there is no more margin for error, a few more years of this and we may become an irreversible failed state. Please Bahamians lose your apathy and demand change and accountability!
Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago
Well said DonAnthony. I really hope Bahamians turn out in huge numbers, protest peacefully and that Bay Street is brought to a complete standstill for the afternoon.
Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago
Here here!
Groidal 7 years, 4 months ago
Don' worry, out of 17,000 cruise ship visitors only about 40 will bother getting off their ships to "experience" downtown Nassau
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrades! Over the past weeks leading up to tomorrow's much media promoted Friday November 25, 2016 Black Friday Protest, it is hoped that such actions are being lead only by a mass collective group of peaceful-minded protestors who when "united under a common cause" can indeed serve a positive social purpose but only "if" the only intent is to shake things up among the status quo....but not "if" it's the status quo whose muscling in takeover leading a protest against the status quo. That my Comrades is not a March about breaking away from the grip of your status quo masters.
Tomorrow's Black Friday, will only turn into an amazing peaceful social event, if what cooler heads hope to accomplish is nothing more than to have the "the back of the majority the working people" and only " if" there's not a care - who gets the credit if it's a success, or to take the blame if it turns nasty and ugly on our streets lined with tourists. Peaceful Marching My Dear Comrades but with the Status Quo alongside the Unions, who have now involved themselves.....you might need some serious luck!
DonGeno 7 years, 4 months ago
I hope Mrs. Lundy shows up.
alfalfa 7 years, 4 months ago
Why is it that whenever any protest or march, organized by anyone other than the PLP, brings cause for comment from Ministers of Government. It is the peoples right to peacefully demonstrate, and it is the Police Force's responsibility to ensure that order is maintained. Anyone remember Burma Road. How peaceful was that?
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago
Oh no, we did get a comment on another protest march, remember, "this is a wonderful display of democracy?"
The_Oracle 7 years, 4 months ago
This march, (or whichever inevitable March or protest came first) is exactly why they accepted armored Vehicles and riot gear etc from China! Hopefully none of them can read the Chinese instructions, or they are made with typical Chinese quality controls and therefore won't work. Give them no excuse to use their arsenal against Bahamians, KEEP IT PEACEFUL !
Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago
The government better know not to deploy that riot gear - it would be game over for the PLP if they start to hurt citizens in the streets.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrades! As the earliest critic PLP Cabinet making a decision to involve the Chinese government in the riot gear needs the nation, still too many of you bloggers are listening to Guardian Talk Radio's most serial calling in to their talk shows - Comrade Graham Rutherford - cause the always talkative and much entertaining with his easy fix all government problems - no matter how big - Graham called in to Adrian Francis's talkie show this early afternoon to warn Adrian's listeners of grenades and things at Friday's Black Protest while mentally wearing his army belt strapped his side and loaded with Made In China riot grenades.
Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago
Not to worry, the grenades won't work - just like the doorknobs at Baha Mar.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrade Voltaire, this shouldn't become an issue for the comfort of it's only known hotel guests wondering the Baha Mar corridors and hallways and who don't have no physical need use doorknobs - ghosts!
DDK 7 years, 4 months ago
L.O.L.!
Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago
hahahah :)
stoner 7 years, 4 months ago
The Bahamas is a beautiful Country and it is a shame that Crime is so high.Get rid of the bad guys and send them to Fox hill prison and then hang them high. Only then will Crime stop.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrade Stoner, Her Majesty's Fox Hill Prison (HMFHP) is the trade school for criminals. In fact its the only taxpayers funded school that has earned the distinction to boast about not only its student graduation success but is obviously on to something when it comes to after graduation work placements. In fact, so successful are the student classes at HMFHP that a high percentage of graduating students will return to complete a four-year masters degree program in criminology.
John 7 years, 4 months ago
It is good that protests are being organized and carried out so close to election. With less than six months before Bahamians will be dipping their fingers in ink and electing a new government there is strong evidence that there are many, many citizens who are not satisfied with the current governments' performance in office over the past four and a half years. Is there enough time on the political clock for the government to fix the things that remain broken, do things that remain undone and to satisfy persons that are displeased? The sad thing is there are so many who, regardless of which side of the political divide they find themselves on, are not exercising their constitutional right to register and be counted as a registered voter with the power to change, things come election day, or maintain the status quo. Maybe whatever happens tomorrow will serve to motivate more people to go and get registered, if only for the hell of it.
Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago
"Is there enough time on the political clock for the government to fix the things that remain broken, do things that remain undone and to satisfy persons that are displeased?
Are you serious with this question?????
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrades Tal and DonGeno have this very evening extended an special invite to Mrs. Lundy to shows up for tomorrow's Black Friday Protest. Tell Graham Rutherford he best hope the riot policeman's does brungs their Chinese riot gear, if they have an plans evict Mrs.Lundy from the Protest.
Ms.Lundy Trilogy
..............//////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6dx9...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6dx9...
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago
Why didn't he focus on the "real" warning over the murder that actually happened?
Bahamaland 7 years, 4 months ago
Where will the March be in NY.? I'll participate in between my black Friday shopping. Seriously though all 2300 workers from Baha Mar better be there and the other thousands of Bahamians?who lost their jobs since May 2012.
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