The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AS it moved into the second phase of its national protest action, the We March Bahamas movement launched its first in a series of think tank forums last evening, with officials aiming to convert the support gathered through last month’s march and occupation of Rawson Square into “tangible solutions.”

In an interview with The Tribune shortly before the start of last evening’s forum, community activist and founder of the group Ranard Henfield labelled the initiative a “wonderful step in the right direction.”

He said the present action being taken by Bahamians serves as “proof that enough is enough and that we are ready to turn our misfortunes around.”

Thursday’s forum, held at Galleria Cinemas, Mall at Marathon, saw the launch of the group’s heavily touted “think tank” action plan - a process which would see the structuring of ideas and concepts offered up by residents into legislative documents, which will ultimately be presented to the country’s legislature.

“The plan is to bring the country together, Bahamians from all across the islands and all around the world as we look to convert all of the ideas that we have been receiving in recent weeks into action,” noted Mr Henfield.

He added that Bahamians have longed for an opportunity to be “players” in resolving the issues they face on a day-to-day basis. He stressed that the centralised nature of politics in governance in the Bahamas has left many “out of the loop despite the everlasting struggles.”

“This is what we are looking to offer here tonight,” he said. “We have divided our resources among several groups, all geared toward resolving a specific issue. Discussions have been had, and are continuing tonight. As a result, these ideas that arise out of these proceedings will then be compiled into legislative documents that would then be delivered to the law makers of our land to indicate to them, that we are prepared to move our society forward.”

We March organisers, in a press statement released Wednesday night, announced that it had transitioned into a coalition, formed through a formal alliance between several community associations focused on moving the country “forward, upward, onward, together.”

Officials said under this new “united” banner the We March movement presently comprises “a minimum” of 50,000 members from various organisations, including Our Carmichael group; social media platform and outreach organisers Head-Knowles; the Our Grand Bahama movement, Citizens for a Better Bahamas, We The People, Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG), Campaign for The Bahamas, Rock The Vote 242, ReEarth, The Grand Bahamas Human Rights Association, Save The Bays, Bahamians Awake, Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), Raise Awareness about The Bahamas Landfill (RABL), Rise Bahamas, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Bahamas Marinas, Mothers United for Peace and The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF).

We March Bahamas said that it now stands as a “national alliance for progress” and “a union forged through the visionary ideals and courageous call to action” of its founder Mr Henfield.

Controversy surrounded Mr Henfield’s most recent public move, as the community activist had to walk back indications that he, through the We March group, would initiate a national strike in response Prime Minister Perry Christie’s refusal to adhere to the group’s ultimatum.

The Our Carmichael founder, in response to criticism, told The Tribune that his comments, addressed in an email to the media, were taken out of context.

However, the email in question, signed by Mr Henfield and released last week Thursday, stated that the group would initiate a national strike if Mr Christie did not publicly respond to its demands by late this week.

Subsequently, Mr Henfield said he felt too much focus was being placed on himself as the lead organiser.

However, Wednesday’s statement continued: “We commit to stand by, behind and up for Ranard, shoulder to shoulder as the movement continues to bridge divides and encourage action on issues of national concern.

“We are committed to work in unison on five pillars of progress for the entire Bahamas: the economy - empowerment of people, cost of living influencers, ease of doing business. Political reform - inclusive of accountability, transparency, freedom of information, Crown land reform, local government for New Providence and term limits for members of Parliament. Social elements - includes community development, fundamental human rights, education, arts, culture and health. Protecting our environments, animal life and our natural resources. Labour matters and rights of Bahamian workers.

“We welcome any and all national groups, public officials and engaged citizens to join us as we press forward to create the Bahamas we desire for ourselves and our children. Our work to advance these pillars of progress starts immediately.”

One of the group’s issues has been a call for the government to introduce a Freedom of Information Act.

On Wednesday, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, who has responsibility for the legislation, defended the government’s delay in bringing it forward.

Mr Fitzgerald said: “We did it the right way and we consulted the public and the country widely. Their input was taken very seriously, we meticulously noted every single concern. I have no doubt that when we table the Bill and when we debate the Bill we will see that we have a cutting edge Bill that stands up against any FOIA legislation in this region and indeed the wider world.”

While the extensive consultation process has been heavily touted by the government, Mr Fitzgerald underscored that the public meetings were not well attended.

On Wednesday, he noted recent efforts to organise meetings to discuss FOIA legislation, but did not refer to We March Bahamas directly.

“I see they’re having a meeting tonight or tomorrow to discuss it,” Mr Fitzgerald stated Wednesday, “we’ve been discussing it for two years, three months ago I got a letter from one of the groups telling me to slow down. So one group saying move faster, the next group, civil society, saying slow down. One group say you’re taking too long, the next group say this the same group that give you the garbage piece of legislation you had in place before.”

Mr Fitzgerald was echoing sentiments put forth by Mr Christie earlier that day, when the prime minister called criticism over his administration’s lengthy track to tabling the legislation unfair.