Scared of crime, tired of secret deals: protesters voice their frustrations

Mon, Nov 28th 2016, 10:10 AM

FRUSTRATED residents occupied Parliament Square on Friday afternoon as a part of the 'We March' protest against the performance of government in its handling of the internal and external affairs of the country.

Promoted as a silent protest, 'We March' began at Arawak Cay at 1pm, with one estimate of up to 1,000 gathering at the start point.

The protestors walked down West Bay Street towards Rawson Square, singing the national anthem and chanting as bystanders, locals and tourists alike, filmed the occasion.

"I have serious concerns as to the direction this country is headed in and it's about time Bahamians took a stand," Caroline Stubbs, a protestor, told The Tribune.


Protesters gathered at Rawson Square on Friday afternoon.

"We have been complacent too long. We see every nationality come into this country and advance ahead of Bahamians. Children are coming out of school illiterate. Everybody can't have a hotel job. You need educate our people.

"There's only some 300,000 plus of us. Why is the government not educating us? Why don't we have jobs? Why are we importing so many foreigners to do what Bahamians can do? It's time for us to take a stand and say no more Enough is enough!" she stressed.

Minister of Labour Shane Gibson was dressed in black for the event.

Dylan Lightbourne, a university student and prospective first-time voter, said that the future appears bleak for Bahamians "and I'm scared to come back because I don't know if there's going to be a possible job for me to come back to".

"I am scared of crime here. I live in a gated community and I'm still scared to live there. I love fishing and I'm scared the Chinese will come in our waters and take all the fish away and we'll have nothing," he added.

"The people are angry. They're frustrated and we need answers," Anna Colebrooke, a senior citizen, toldThe Tribune.

"We're tired of the secret deals. We're tired of the reports they promised and four and a half years later you still don't have it. I'm here for the people's movement and most importantly on behalf of my grandchildren yet unborn that they can have a better country."

"I don't know much about politics but whatever they're playing around with as their personal game, it's not for the interest of the Bahamian people," said Artis Miller, another senior citizen.

"Anybody can sign a deal now on behalf of the government and the Prime Minister is the leader. I don't know but don't give a s* about it. $40 million went missing from Road Traffic and nobody has been prosecuted for it. And this is who you want running the country?" Mr Miller asked.

"I feel for the nation. We're in a dilemma. There has to be some accountability of some nature because as I see it everybody could do as they feel and get away with it," said Eli Major.


Protesters sing in Rawson Square by Tribune242

"I'm afraid for the youngsters. The cost of living is over the youngsters' head. They can't afford to purchase a piece of property in this town that is less than $60,000 today and your annual salary is less than $30,000?"

Roger Gomez II, a public defender, said he was "thrilled by what I see".

"The Bahamian people are exercising their constitutional rights. Of course, all of the necessary permits from the government was obtained and we're here as Bahamians to voice our opinions in a peaceful manner which is the nature of our history and culture.

"If you recall, when we got our independence it was called the quiet revolution. So we're just a little louder but the important thing is we're out here peacefully as Bahamians, black, white, just looking for a better way for our country and our people."

Romona Farquharson-Seymour, another lawyer, also supported the citizens right to protest.

"I'm a Bahamian and so I'm here to really support the cause. We have some real concerns with what's happening in the country and we wish for our presence to be felt, to be known to those who are making the decisions to know, listen, we're not happy with what's happening. You have a lot of Bahamians who are hurting.

"They believe there's a certain group coming in and wreaking havoc. Also the lack of transparency. You just see certain moves taking place, certain corporations purchased, whatever the case may be and all you're hearing are just rumours and its really for legislature to speak out and say these are the facts and then we the people can make the decision."

The protest has attracted significant support from activists and civic organisations, as well as the support of the country’s two umbrella unions, the Obie Ferguson-led Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the John Pinder-led National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB).

Lamech Johnson, Tribune Staff Reporter

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