Grand Bahama will celebrate the 3rd annual Majority Rule Day Parade in downtown Freeport on Monday, announced the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama, during a press conference, January 6, 2016.

Minister Darville said he expects this parade will be bigger and better than last year’s, when the Majority Rule Committee honoured some 70 individuals who were instrumental in helping bring about Majority Rule on the island. He said it is important to honour those who fought for what some in the country take for granted.

Uniformed branches, youth groups and schools are all expected to participate, and a special guest appearance will be made by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, which is being sponsored by BTC. The event will end with an all-star Junkanoo Rushout.

Cecil Thompson of the Majority Rule Committee paid tribute to all those who have contributed to Majority Rule, both nationally and locally.

Jacqueline Pinder, president of the Grand Bahama Principals and Vice-Principals Association, said it is important to reflect on where the country has come from, and in so doing, recognize where it needs to go, as she stressed the importance of students learning the history of Majority Rule. She encouraged principals, teachers and students to participate in the event, and added that as educators in the country, they have a very important role to play in sharing this information with the students.

Former honouree, Louis Thurston added that there are many people in the country who are unaware of how Majority Rule came about. Property vote, one man, one vote and the women's right to vote are all things that helped bring about Majority Rule and it is important that the students become aware of the sacrifices made by their parents and grandparents.

Also present for the press conference were: Harcourt Brown, Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry for Grand Bahama; Ambassador Maurice Moore, former honouree; Dr. Joneth Edden, Ministry for Grand Bahama; Fredrick Jervis, Pathfinders Band; and Bishop Joseph Hall.

The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at Christ the King Anglican Church, and end in downtown Freeport on Pioneers Way.

By Robyn Adderley | Bahamas Information Services

3RD ANNUAL MAJORITY RULE CELEBRATION - Grand Bahama will celebrate its 3rd annual Majority Rule Celebration on Monday in downtown Freeport. There will be a march from Christ the King Anglican Church starting at 10:30 a.m. Shown from left during the press conference on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Ministry for Grand Bahama are: Ambassador Maurice Moore, former honouree; Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; and Louis Thurston, former honouree who shared some of his old photos with those present. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)