TWO directors of Save The Bays, the environmental advocacy group, have asked for police protection after a rally in support of a Freedom of Information Act was disrupted on Friday night in downtown Nassau by what they claim was “a bought and paid-for mob”.
Fred Smith and Joseph Darville said last night in a statement that they fear for their lives after allegedly being targeted by aggressive groups of young men holding menacing and defamatory banners bearing their names and faces.
The rally, in Charlotte Street, was held in conjunction with a number of community partners, including the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. “What happened on Friday night was disgusting,” Mr Smith said. “A peaceful gathering in support of freedom of information was nearly hijacked by a bought and paid-for mob sent there to intimidate and cause trouble.”
Mr Smith claimed it was not the first time this had happened. “Considering the increasingly sinister tone of their messages, many of us are now very afraid. We call on the Commissioner of Police to intervene and protect us before someone gets hurt.”
According to Mr Darville, a group of men, on a flatbed truck blaring music, arrived carrying banners but were turned away by a senior police officer. However, they returned and the Save the Bays director confronted them.
“I pointed to my own face on their banners, and told them there is no way they could know what we stood for and be there protesting against us,” he said. “In the end, these young men admitted they had no idea what it was all about. Many of them dropped their signs, even before police again asked them to leave.”
Mr Darville said some of the men claimed to have been asked to attend the protest by individuals working for fashion designer Peter Nygard, who has a long-running dispute with his neighbour, Louis Bacon, a Save The Bays supporter for which Mr Smith is the lawyer. Some wore shirts and others waved placards bearing slogans about Mr Bacon. At one point, star Bahamian boxer Taureano Johnson appeared at the scene.
Friday night police confirmed that the men had no permit to protest.
Comments
The_Oracle 9 years, 4 months ago
And so it starts, the final stage in the decay of society in the Bahamas, Hired thugs, no different than the Hitler youth, or as in any number of other countries where things decay only to be replaced by horrible ideology fueled by ignorance and mental poverty. If we could learn to think for ourselves, we would have no need of Political personalities to adore and follow blindly, or outspoken personalities to hate. We have few success stories because we shoot down our own before they rise. Political success is no measure of decency, it merely shows a propensity to steal and deceive. An angry youth and xenophobia is the most telling about the lack of societal health. We have a sick country indeed.
TalRussell 9 years, 4 months ago
Comrades the job of the minister of national security, Commish of da policeman's and the Tribune are far from over when such serious accusations have reportedly been made. These distributing allegations deserve more than a one day story in media. Considering the motives, biases of the talk shows it is highly unlikely they will dare to touch these disturbing to the entire nation allegations.
DonAnthony 9 years, 4 months ago
These are very serious allegations. Will this be properly investigated? The senior police officer should know who these hooligans are and if they had no permit charge them before the courts. We can not allow those who are simply exercising their right to free speech and protest be threatened in a democratic society.
asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago
The sad part is the fact that in this day and age persons in the Bahamas can be BOUGHT to put forth another mans agenda that is not understood by those that are bought. The massive scale of ignorance in this country does not bode well for the future. Also even more scary is the massive amount of abuse that is heaped upon the ignorant amongst us by those that would push their own agenda at any cost.
duppyVAT 9 years, 4 months ago
Soooooooo, who were these "hired thugs"???? Did they all wear masks???????
birdiestrachan 9 years, 4 months ago
It is to bad that Joe Darville nor Fred smith agitated for a freedom of information Act, During the five years the FNM was in power. and they had nothing to say when the Exuma Sea Park was Raped to allow a rich man to dock his boat. a park when poor Bahamians are not allowed to take a fish. In Fact Fred said the man gave him a retainer fee. He said it on Mr, Jones show, ..Threats where is the threat. ? they approached persons on the flat bed truck, they were not afraid to approach the person on the truck, Now they say they are afraid, Afraid of what.? .
TheMadHatter 9 years, 4 months ago
Poor Bahamians do not live in the area of the Exuma Park. You are talking nonsense. It is one of the few areas in the Bahamas that the Govt is doing a great job of protecting the environment so that our grandchildren can know what a grouper even looks like. Let the people who live in Staniel Cay and in Georgetown fish around their own rocks. If they would stop cracking out conchs and throwing the shells on the same seabed where they dove them from - that might help. People don't want to live around a bunch of dead bodies decayed into skeletons and neither do conchs. There is plenty of space in Exuma outside of the park. The alternative is to let them fish there and then in 5 years time they can complain that there are no fish to be found anywhere in Exuma - in or out of the park.
asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago
Hey Birdie do you know that they are dredging at Normans Cay right now. The one you love and the one you hate are exactly the same. That is why we need Freedom of Information. Are you not sick of being duped by the politician?
asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago
Sip sip says that these set where bought by "external forces". Wonder who that could be?
Voltaire 9 years, 4 months ago
@bridiestrachan - how you know the situation wasn't threatening? You were there hey? I can't stand commentary that is always colored by political bias. I bet if it was a PLP prayer meeting where these same thugs showed up, you would be hollering for the police.
countryfirst 9 years, 4 months ago
We all know who hired these guys but he has this government so far up his a-- that nothing will come of this matter.When you buy a government you can do whatever you wish.Sorry for those who can't pay to play.
Voltaire 9 years, 4 months ago
@countryfirst. Well said.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 4 months ago
Voltaire I know I was not there, I read the report, there was no threat. in what I read.The Police have enough to do without providing protection for these two men. If they are so afraid perhaps they can both hire Body Guards.
Voltaire 9 years, 4 months ago
...and if it was a PLP prayer meeting disrupted in this way, with personal attacks and people's faces strewn across banners, you would say the same thing? Cool then.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 4 months ago
Personal attacks what personal attack are you talking about.? remember one of them approached the truck, and some dropped their banners where was the fear? Now Fred Smith works for Bacon, so dirty up the other Guy . The one who is said tries to help Bahamians. The report mentions that Taureano Johnson a boxer was there. What is that all about. In my view he has every right to be there. Just as much right as Fred and Joe.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 4 months ago
Personal attacks what personal attack are you talking about.? remember one of them approached the truck, and some dropped their banners where was the fear? Now Fred Smith works for Bacon, so dirty up the other Guy . The one who is said tries to help Bahamians. The report mentions that Taureano Johnson a boxer was there. What is that all about. In my view he has every right to be there. Just as much right as Fred and Joe.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 4 months ago
Personal attacks what personal attack are you talking about.? remember one of them approached the truck, and some dropped their banners where was the fear? Now Fred Smith works for Bacon, so dirty up the other Guy . The one who is said tries to help Bahamians. The report mentions that Taureano Johnson a boxer was there. What is that all about. In my view he has every right to be there. Just as much right as Fred and Joe.
asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago
Once again dear you miss the point. There where many other people at this function and other organizations besides Save the Bays. This function was about Freedom of Information. Now I do not know one right thinking person that will say that Freedom of Information is a BAD thing. Politicians on the other hand do not want Freedom of Information as with it they will be held ACCOUNTABLE. We all know that many a politician has had their hand in the cookie jar, right Birdie? How can a group that wants to make our country transparent, our politicians accountable, and give Bahamians a say in what is done in their name a BAD THING. Who would want to disrupt such a function? Who would benefit from there being NO Freedom of Information? Ask yourself those questions and ask yourself if YOUR friends and family would benefit from a Freedom of Information Act. Birdie I know it's hard to see the forest for the tree's but you really should think before you bleat. These people are actually doing something that will make our country better for ALL not just those with deep pockets or party connections.
DonAnthony 9 years, 4 months ago
Fred Smith and Joe Darville are two of the finest Bahamians I have seen. While I certainly do not agree with everything Fred Smith says I admire his passion and fearlessness. They give voice to the voiceless and stand up for the marginalized and disenfranchised in our country on a myriad of human rights and environmental issues. I am sure this is at great personal cost and risk to themselves. In fact it makes me ashamed of my own cowardice and apathy as well as that of most Bahamians. They are real bahamian heroes.
Voltaire 9 years, 4 months ago
Well said asiseeit and DonAnthony. I agree completely. birdiestrachan, i was referring to the vicious personal attacks on the banners these men were carrying. One called Fred Smith a "Haitian Infidel". I noticed by the way that you conveniently dodged my hypothetical question tho. Oh and about the relevance of Taureano Johnson the boxer being there... oh, i don't know, you tell me:
by Voltaire
TalRussell 9 years, 4 months ago
Comrades exactly who sent them there is open to debate but can there be any question money was the primary motive behind it. How many people do you know who would want Comrade "King Counsel's'' photo up on a banner. He ain't that pretty be parading around. Suspicion, suspicion. Wonk, wonk. .
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 4 months ago
Nygard is such a scumbag. We really need to lock his ass up for tax evasion. How long has that slime been running an illegal resort now? LOCK HIS ASS UP!!! Then deport him...
duppyVAT 9 years, 4 months ago
Agreed ............... 100%. White trash
asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago
After all of the allegations immigration should have a very sharp eye on this tyrant. I am always suspicious of anyone who goes so out of their way to advertise their good deeds, what is it they are trying to divert our attention from? I most certainly question this mans motives. I saw the bulldozers with my own two eye's.
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