The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

RANARD Henfield, the organiser of the We March Bahamas activist group, has endorsed the Free National Movement ahead of the upcoming general election, stressing his confidence in the party’s leader, Dr Hubert Minnis.

We March Bahamas gained prominence after more than 1,000 protesters marched from Arawak Cay to Rawson Square in November 2016 to protest the government’s performance.

As the group continued to put pressure on the political class, Mr Henfield was accused by some detractors of being in partnership with the FNM.

In a post to Facebook on Wednesday, Mr Henfield wrote that endorsing someone other than Dr Minnis would be a “regrettable” mistake, despite the existence of “amazing candidates” like the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) Brenda Harris and the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) Cheryl Bazard.

“…To risk the PLP governing for another five years, everyone that wants to see the PLP gone knows that we’d never forgive ourselves for causing the PLP to win by splitting the opposition votes,” he said, calling PLP politicians “pirates of The Bahamas”.

Mr Henfield portrayed Dr Minnis as a politician of a higher calibre than usual, one who refuses to “protect the status quo” like “career politicians that have raped” the country.

Mr Henfield said he advocates “jail for corrupt politicians, lower cost of living, term limits for prime ministers, the removal of Crown land distribution from the Office of the Prime Minister and the distribution of such land to people, local government for New Providence and an independent director of public prosecutions.”

He said he recommends former Court of Appeal President Dame Joan Sawyer for attorney general, even though Dame Joan is retired.

He said he wants a recall system for MPs, a fixed date for elections, easier ways of doing businesses and easier ways of exporting items from The Bahamas.

He did not explain how some of his desires would be accomplished, like “making banking cheaper and easier.”

However, Mr Henfield said if Dr Minnis doesn’t do what he promises to do in 100 days, We March would be activated to protest once again.

Mr Henfield suggested to The Tribune yesterday that he has a planned appearance with Dr Minnis in the next week.