CORRECTION: The number of people involved in the staged protests against the Bahamas immigration policy in Miami on Friday was 12 to 15 as allowed by the City of Miami Police Department’s demonstration permit and not due to a low turnout as reported on Saturday in the Big T.
AVA TURNQUEST in MIAMI
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FLORIDA State Representative Daphne Campbell yesterday said she was not discouraged by the low turnout for the staged protests in Miami against the Bahamas’ new immigration policy.
Less than 15 protesters picketed alongside Ms Campbell outside the Bahamas Consulate General office building between 1pm and 3pm.
According to Ms Campbell, groups of similar size also demonstrated at the Port of Miami and at the Miami International Airport at Concourse E.
Bahamas Consul General Ricardo Treco yesterday called the protests a “dead issue”, adding that Ms Campbell did not have much political traction in the city.
Mr Treco maintained that his office would not meet with Ms Campbell until she retracted “defamatory and false” statements against the Bahamas.
He suggested that her outspoken position on the country’s new immigration policy was politically motivated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued an advisory for Bahamians travelling to Miami yesterday concerning the demonstrations.
The statement referred to Ms Campbell as an anti-Bahamian Florida legislator, and described the demonstrations as “ill conceived and misdirected”.
Outside the Bahamas Consulate, protesters of Haitian descent chanted, “Stop deportations” and “Boycott Bahamas”, as pedestrians and motorists stopped to take photos.
The protesters also called for the resignation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell.
Ms Campbell said the protests will continue as often as possible until the policy is revamped.
She accused officials of lying about the Department of Immigration’s handling of children, and insisted that she had evidence that minors of Haitian descent were being arrested and deported despite their legal status.
“We are protesting against the inhumane treatment and discrimination against children born in the Bahamas of Haitian descent,” she said.
“We are protesting because we feel it is very unfair for anyone who is born in the Bahamas and grew up in the Bahamas to be deported. It is unfair.”
“We have the proof,” she added “we have a lot of proof in our office, that’s why we took over and said they need to stop this. There is a way to do things, he (Mr Mitchell) could do things to change that policy.
“What we’re doing is spreading awareness about what is going on.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 10 years ago
NewJersey 10 years ago
Why are you bothering this misguided, semi-intelligible alleged tax cheat whose ethics could be written on the back or a postage stamp with a carpenter's pencil?
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
We are protesting because we feel it is very unfair for anyone who is born in the Bahamas and grew up in the Bahamas to be deported. It is unfair.
She ignores the fact the the US law of claiming babies born on US soil as American has its foundation in slavery and it's profiteering objectives. There are many countries worldwide who do not subscribe to the principal. To label the Bahamas inhumane when we have hundreds of thousands of Haitians flooding here yearly with the sole purpose of having babies as their de facto passports, is unfair and unrealistic. The Bahamas cannot support the influx. Travel to Haiti and campaign and urge your countrymen and women to stop overcrowding the Bahamas bringing diseases and unsanitary conditions to our doorstep and illegally squatting on land bought for by someone else's hard labour.
I wonder how willing Mrs Campbell would be to have one of these fire hazard, Ebola breeding ground shanty towns next door to her house?
Emac 10 years ago
I always like how you are so diplomatic about telling it like it is. Lol...
TalRussell 10 years ago
The Guardian’s “Kreyol Connection with Comrade Louby Georges” had “Boycott Bahamas” Daphne on as a guest on Wednesday. On Thursday night's show Louby open the lines for listeners’ to phone in and cast their votes, if a General Election were to be held now. They were given three options. They could vote for either the PLP, FNM or DNA. The PLP by the very end show managed poll just 3 votes, The FNM would have won the government at 156 votes.The DNA surprisingly rhad excellent showing with 53 votes. Not so surprisingly was how every caller identified himself or herself as being from the Haitian community. Regardless what Guardian says it is it's a show for Haitians. It was clear they wanted nothing do with the PLP, From the start the shows host Louby encouraged all Haitians, "legal or illegal," to phone in to the show to cast their votes. I guess the Guardian sees legal and illegals as one Haitian community? But the biggest surprise was not that Minnis’s name not mentioned, but it became obvious with each caller from the get go, that they were not voting for the FNM or Minnis. They wanted their t PopPa, PopPa all the way. Caller after caller were calling out the PopPa’s name. like they was in church under da Holy Spirit. For those who missed Wednesday’s interview with “Boycott Bahamas” Daphne Campbell, here’s your chance. Warning, best you take a minimum 6 ya extra strength, doctor prescribed high blood pressure medication before listening to Louby and his guest Daphne.
Kreyol Connection with Louby Georges December 17, 2014
http://guardiantalkradio.com/kreyol-con…
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2014…
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
Americans and Bahamians are in no mood to hear about the wonders of illegal immigration.
Illegal immigration benefits a few oligarchs to the great expense of all other citizens.
drumcp 10 years ago
Earlier this year, I was the subject of much insults when my resilient gut pushed me to post my sstory on this site. And after seeing how hypocritical some were, I decided altogether to abandon this site. Nonetheless, because of news and informations addiction, I could not keep off for long.
I do have absolutely no problems of countries enforcing their laws. The job of the Executive branch of any government is to ensure that the laws of the country are enforced and needs to take measures for such to be enforced when they are not. I am not the type of person who is politically correct as to watch what I say in order not to offend certain people. Having said that, let me tell you what I think.
Several years ago, I sat in the office of Mr. Campbell at the Grand Bahama Immigration Offices and I was speaking to one Immigration Senior Officer and she told me something that would change me for the rest of my life. Now, keep in mind that I was born in the Bahamas, did my schooling in Haiti and returned to the Bahamas at the age of 18 and subsequently applied for my Naturalization as a Bahamian Citizen. I ended up becoming a friend to everyone in the office, they help the facilitation of me and the rest of my family obtain some travel documents in a time where we think it was impossible to do so, therefore I had nothing but high esteem for them even for the guy Adam whom everyone said was a brutal beast. We became friends. Now, I was able to establish these relationships with Mr. Cooper, Campbell, Mrs Carter and so on.
But for some reasons, I cannot remember the name of Woman Officer who spoke to me that day that changed my life and this is what she said: "If I think I am not liked in a country, I would not stay and that country." I do not think she was expressing xenophobic sentiment towards those of haitian decent but I think she was trying to tell me that there are other things that I could do to better my situation than continuing on with my application to register as Bahamian Citizen.
However that day I left with the thought that I was not liked in the Bahamas. So I resolved to follow her advice and leave the country. So I left the Bahamas on an adventure. On that adventure, I ended up crossing the path of a Haitian Girl whom I have known for long (first as an ex girlfriend) and she was single and we resumed our relationship and eventually we got married and since she was an US citizen, I was able to get my residency here in the US and within the span of 4 years I had become a US citizen myself. suite---
drumcp 10 years ago
When I first got to the US, I took a job as sales associate for a Mattress company, the I went to work for Wells Fargo Bank as a personal and private Banker, I left and move to Boston MA where I am working as a Consultant with Toyota making about $110,000.00 a year. Now I have never completed my college degree but my wife she has and her salary as a Manager is roughly $55,000.00 a year. We live decently, we have a beautiful family. I speak spanish, french, creole and english fluently. I am near fluent in portuguese, my wife speak French fluently as a result of her years in Quebec, our kids speak French and Creole at home. We both have calling in our church where we teach Young Men and Women. We are involved in our community and we certainly are happy despite challenges. My first job in the Bahamas was at Silvano Restaurant in Freeport as a dishwasher making 3.00 an hour, the to Ruby Swiss making roughly 70 - 100 bucks a week then Solomons Supermarket making 200 a week. I left the Bahamas in January 2007 to live in the Dominican Republic and came back in March 2009. At one point, before I left the Bahamas i work for Tamaco Ltd making just 675 a month, now my salary tops 9000.00 a month and I have everything going on for me. Do I blame the Bahamian people? No, I do not. What happened to me there as a Child with haitian parents just pushed me to be the best of myself. I did not let my circumstances dictate what I could have become in life. The place where one is born has nothing to do with how one decide to live his life. We are not rich but we work hard. I could have stayed in the Bahamas and complain how unfair the system is or I could move on. I chose to move on.
That being said, Haitian people need to understand that these immigration laws are laws of a Sovereign Country that need to be enforced. If you don't like them, you can either unite with the citizens and peacefully petition for change or leave the country. And as someone who grew up in Haiti, I think most Haitians (my dad excluded) don't want to go back. Also the Bahamian Government has also a duty to preserve the fundamental and universal rights of everyone who live of who happen to be within its borders. Failing to do so would put them in direct breach and violation of human rights especially articles 2,3 and 4 and as a result the UN or OAS and even our closest neighbor and ally US can legally inflict santion on the Bahamas thus paraliza our Commerce, Tourism, Financial sector and eventually our economy. And we do not want or need that.
drumcp 10 years ago
And to tell you the truth, I am not sure what may happen next. The Bahamas is a small country and the job market does really satisfy the demands of laborers. And the sentiment that Haitians are taking over jobs from Bahamians is actually legitimate. Therefore while I support the fundamental human rights of every individual, I also support the right of the Bahamian People to demand that the laws of their country be enforced.
My name is J.E. Joseph, born in Bahamas of Haitian Blood and I am an American by heart though my love is also share with the Commonwealth of Bahamas and the Republic of Haiti. I love you all! (Please excuse some mispellings, I used a tablet to write tis)
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2014…
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2014…
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
Congratulations on your success, you are the type of individual that every country welcomes. Someone who can be productive, does not engage in illegal activity, earns enough to support themselves and their family and is not a burden on the healthcare or educational system. Most developing countries, including the Bahamas, have their own inherent challenges supporting the native population, having hundreds of thousands of immigrants flood their shores with a sense that they can live anywhere they like in unsafe, unsanitary conditions, not pay for any services, set up businesses anywhere they like, is a recipe for disaster. I completely agree with you the Haitian community here and abroad need to understand that when they come here they are guests. They should be treated humanely but humane treatment does not mean an automatic passport for illegal immigrants even if you were born here. As a responsible resident, Louby Georges should be sending this message to his people every day.
duppyVAT 10 years ago
This guy is a Haitian, he just passed through The Bahamas ......... put some of ur money back into Haiti especially the schools and clinics
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
Yeah I get that, but he's a productive US immigrant. He didn't land on their shores illegally then expect "somebody else" to pay for his lifelong stay. and then complain about how bad his support was
jamaicaproud 10 years ago
Why don't you put some of your money into Bahamas Clinics? Why should he do that, is he the government?
jamaicaproud 10 years ago
You can see from duppyVats answer you guys are xenophobic haters. It matters not if this fellow remained a dishwasher. Peoples rights must be respected. The rape of the Jamaican woman last week by a senior immigration officer will not go unpunished. This guy is boastful, everyone cannot achieve what he has. Human rights must be respected period. The drug money that funded Bahamas expansion has dried up, and then they will be looking to other Caribben countries for answers, who knows, maybe even Haiti
TruthHurts 10 years ago
Buddy I'm also of Jamaican decent and I'm tired of Jamaicans always speaking of how great it is in JAMAICA!! My grandmother left there and integrated into Bahamian society and has never said or done anything to defame the Bahamas. She loves it! If you're so 'Jamaican and Proud' you can do the best for all of us as well CHIEF!
Duppy made the comment (which is valid) because of the terrible situation that exists there.. people are still living in tents, without running water and readily available foodstuffs. Not all, but there have been high profile American-Haitians that have taken advantage of the country's situation and exploited it for their personal gain. All he is saying is to try to help out your countrymen however you can. No need to take it personal.
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
Agree, everyone loves their country. Bahamians love the Bahamas, but there's no developing nation in the world without challenges
jamaicaproud 10 years ago
Well brother man when the so called "Real Bahamians", trace you back to the thrid and 4th generations like they are doing the Hatians, I hope you will find it funny then. No one said Jamaica was all that, we have struggles, but we are not mean spirited and spend all day talking about Foreigners. Rapes, killings, and all you can think about is Hatians
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
I think duppyVat's point was that he was a bad example since he wasnt resident in the Bahamas for any length of time. He was born here but left. That's it.
drumcp 10 years ago
DuppyVat, at any point did I claim not to be Haitian. I am proud of my roots and also proud if where I was born. Jamaicaproud, I understand that not everyone can achieve what I did. I am 29 year old and I have a beautiful family and financially secure,
jamaicaproud 10 years ago
Hey bro, i have no problem with you. My point is this, You should be allowed to settle in the land of your birth without harassment. You should have been allowed to go to school, work and get a Passport like everyone else in the World. You should have been able to emigrate by choice, not under duress. My main point though is that your successful nature should not be the only thing to have allowed you to stay there. The fact is these people are going back 3 or 4 Generations trying to determine who is a "real Bahamian."They are Xenophobic and reckless, they are picking on the Hatians even those who are properly landed. It is sick, disgusting and backward.
drumcp 10 years ago
Jamaicaproud, Thank you very much. My family received political asylum there in the early 80s because if Baby Doc' dictatorship. My family members were legal immigrants when I was born. Nevertheless, you cannot change other's perceptions if they do not want to, however you can change yourself. I have decided not to blame anyone but change my circumstances. For example, since I know it is going to be a travesty for my extended family to emigrate to another country, my father, mother, wife and I, we founded a company with several business under such as two restaurants/bars, three laundromats, two car washes and one Electronic Store where most of my family and a few other people are employed. I do not send them money because they are working and making take care of themselves. They do not have to come to the U.S. or the Bahamas for that matter only for vacation. The best way to reduce illegal immigration is to encourage jobs creation. Now I am well aware that most people do not go back to their country and open business, they either keep their money in the bank if they have it or build a few houses or just spend it. I work hard every day of my life so that my kids or any member of my family do not have to go through what I went through. Again, I do not have any ill feeling against any country or people. At work, I represent both the Bahamas and Haiti. I recently went to the Toyota Tundra plant in San Antonio Texas was given an opportunity to talk about my upbringing from the Caribbean I had nothing but praises for both countries. I would rather see the good in the world! By the way, I spent some time in Jamaica, I could not think of a better people when it comes to reception of foreigners. I believe all of the caribbean countries are very polite and welcoming, it is just a matter of economic hardship that has befallen on the people and the only way for them to get closer to a recovery is by controlling the labor market and through immigration reform.
jamaicaproud 10 years ago
Thank you very much, I am impressed. This is my issue with the Bahamas, if you care to know. I could never figure out how the normal guy who is going about his day to day business can be so obsessed with "dem foreigners". I grew uu in Jamaica, went to College there and many teachers/lecturers cam from all over the place. Many became citizens and their children were offspring plain and simple. One of Jamaica's first big industrialists was a Haitian fellow who ran from Papa Doc, the Duselmes.They started Jamaica Thermoplastics and supported Haitian causes but were Jamaica, and we didn't begrudge them for that. So yes if you import cheap labor and people have offspring and are not paid livable wages, how can they live in a decent place and repatriate families not to talk of apply for passport?
ObserverOfChaos 10 years ago
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/ne…
TruthHurts 10 years ago
Get bent!
SP 10 years ago
.. FBI Exposes PLP And FNM Use Of "Consultants" To Facilitate Bribery And Corruption ..
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/the-ba…
This is the main reason our country is in a mess............. PIRATES AT THE HELM !
.............. Mr. Greenslade..........Do your job and send these BASTARDS TO JAIL ..........
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
French power company? We will see how serious they are about saving this country with their choice for chief justice. If they select Allyson Maynard, God help us all. Can we hire Elliot Spitzer?
SP 10 years ago
....... Alison Maynard is the equivalent to Anne Bonny ........Only Worse.....
I'm willing to bet 9 to 1 she's deeply involved in every "Consultant" bribery & corruption deal.
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SP 9 years, 11 months ago
................... Daphne Campbell Should Be Investigated For Human Smuggling .................
Someone needs to investigate why this disgusting Haitian woman is so unreasonably adamant. Seems as though she has something to lose personally rather than genuine concern for illegal Haitians.
Firstly, Haitians do not earn enough money in Haiti to accumulate enough cash to pay for leaky boat passage from Haiti to Bahamas.
Secondly, Haitians obviously have a well oiled apparatus in place to receive and assimilate illegals from Bahamas arriving in Miami.
Given Daphne Campbell and her families record of under the table deals and corruption, it is impossible to imagine them NOT being involved in such a lucrative enterprise as human smuggling.
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