The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

CELI Moss, former DNA candidate is leading a campaign that threatens to disrupt tomorrow’s festivities that will officially launch the country’s 40th independence celebrations.

Mr Moss has urged Bahamians to turn out at the foot of the western bridge at 6:30pm, one hour before the free all Bahamian concert begins to protest what he called “foreign superstars headlining what should be a showcase of Bahamian talent.” He said local artists have taken a back seat to international entertainers, Jennifer Hudson and Bebe Winans.

Mr Moss denied that his call for all Bahamians to support the protest was sparked by a deep-seated personal vendetta against Sir Sidney Poitier and the Paradise Island bridge being renamed in his honour.

“The concern is that this is the official launch of the 40th anniversary celebrations,” Mr Moss said. “I don’t believe that it should happen with foreigners being featured atop Bahamian artists. On the following day, there is a Jennifer Hudson concert.

“If we allow Bebe Winans and Jennifer Hudson to spearhead these celebrations, then what message are we sending to the Bahamians and the world? Perhaps that our people aren’t good enough. Once we open the door it’ll be hard to close it and years from now the history books will reveal that we allowed Americans to play such an important role in our 40th year of independence.

“As far as Sir Sidney goes, I have a different issue with him, but the independence day celebrations supersede those issues.”

The Bahamas has also painted itself out as a “begging” nation, Mr Moss said.

“The Jennifer Hudson concert is being used to solicit funds to build a national arts centre. Our leaders are begging foreigners to do something that the Bahamian people can do for themselves.

“We are saying that we need foreigners to validate us, it is time for us to shift the paradigm. So I am calling every Bahamian to come out to support this cause. We must stand together to achieve what we want.”

With little time until the celebrations start, the public’s reception of the protest has been mixed as shown in the opposing views expressed on Mr Moss’s Facebook page where a great deal of his campaigning has taken place.

When asked to speak on the support that his efforts have drawn, Mr Moss said several persons have said they will rally with him to protest the concerts.