Dr Hubert Minnis outside court in 2014 at the arraignment of the Cabbage Beach protestors.
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE suggestions that if elected his administration would expunge convictions associated with the Cabbage Beach protest in March 2016, those arrested for the incident say they have been abandoned by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
Speaking to The Tribune following yet another adjournment in their case, the group yesterday begged Dr Minnis to be a man of his word and “make things right”.
Urvan Moxey, Derek Thompson, Lincoln Bain, Sam Butler, Trevor Lightbourne and Jharo Saunders – six of the 10 people arrested and charged in connection with the protest – said they are shocked by the Minnis administration’s handling of the matter given the role of the former opposition party in the contentious protest. The group claimed the former opposition leader helped organise the event.
On the day of the protest, Dr Minnis told The Tribune the effort put forth by those involved stood as a “sure sign” that Bahamians were fed up with the empty promises offered by the then governing Christie administration.
Dr Minnis, who was joined at the protest by former Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney and other politicians, never suggested he was leading the movement.
However, according to Mr Lightbourn, one of the accused, Dr Minnis acted as the guiding hand behind the protest.
“(I was told) by the prime minister that he needed people to come out that morning at seven to march from the foot of the bridge to Cabbage Beach,” he said.
Derek Thompson, the father of Social Services Minister Lanisha Rolle and self-proclaimed FNM caretaker, also said his attendance and involvement in the protest was encouraged by Dr Minnis and the FNM.
“(My daughter) called me at 5.30 in the morning, she said ‘Daddy, Mr Minnis wants you and some of your men out of the Bain (and Grants) Town constituency to come by the bridge and march,’” Mr Thompson said.
Mr Thompson said due to the short notice, he was only able to convince roughly 13 men to join him on the protest, all of whom bought into the idea the FNM was on the side of the people.
“How I saw the (police) dragging the young people, the old people all over the bridge; it touch my heart,” he said yesterday, speaking of events which occurred the day before the protest in question. “I am caretaker of the FNM and a caretaker of the Bahamian people, and when I saw that I went to those officers and said that could have been your mother, that could have been your father, that could have your sister, your son or your auntie.”
He continued: “The cry was that Dr Minnis told us to march with him to the bridge, over the bridge and to do things that would improve (matters at Cabbage Beach). We have done that. My friends have done that. My colleagues have done that. The Bahamian people have done that.”
Speaking directly to the prime minister, Mr Thompson added: “Dr Minnis, all our cries are today, you started off with us, you tell us work with you and anything happen, you would be with us. Sir, you been to court once, and we haven’t seen you no more.
“Honourable prime minister, I am an FNM. I love you and I love what you are doing, but what I want you to do is to be a true man to me and my colleagues. Please Mr Prime Minister.”
The group applauded the ongoing efforts of Mr McCartney, who represents only Urvan Moxey. According to the accused, Mr McCartney has appeared at every court proceeding and made it a point to assist the entire group when needed.
Ownership of Cabbage Beach was transferred from Atlantis (Brookfield) to a subsidiary of Access Industries in 2014. In late November 2015, beach vendors were given written notice stating the access point would be closed at the end of December of that year. The vendors then went to court and were granted an interim injunction blocking the closure. In January, however, the interim injunction was not extended.
In February 2016, vendors clashed with police during a protest on the Sidney Poitier Bridge to Paradise Island after Access Industries erected a fence blocking access to the vendors’ usual point of entry to Cabbage Beach.
The next day the government announced it had reached an agreement with the company to grant temporary access over the private property. However a group of protestors still marched to the site and some of them tore down portions of the fence in question.
In March 2016, The Tribune reported Dr Minnis, flanked by party supporters on the steps of the Nassau and South Streets Magistrate’s Court Complex, suggested if the FNM won the 2017 election the party would expunge the records of the accused men if necessary.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 10 months ago
Wait. You mean yalk aint happy that the worst opposition leader in our entire history isn't the PM you wanted him to be????
Wow. Who woulda thunk it??
TalRussell 6 years, 10 months ago
Comrades, talk on certain street corners saying some "TRUMP" types major shakeup is underway at the Prime Minister's Office and "ACEE's" chief spokesman's role for the PM is on the demise, or may be on last rites life support..... Could the political careers of three members Imperial red cabinet also be in deep trouble... Watch major senior ZNS firings at the ready?
killemwitdakno 6 years, 10 months ago
So Tribune doesn't detail what exactly the matter is that still remains. Refresh our memories.
TalRussell 6 years, 10 months ago
Okay My Comrades, I get it now, that's a Minnis look-a-like photographed outside da court in 2014 at the arraignment of the Cabbage Beach protesters? Him knows nothing of what they're saying he said, or what 'someone's daughter' said in his name?
No damn wonder Loretta had the governor general perform her royal firing.
Sickened 6 years, 10 months ago
Were these people arrested for marching (like everyone else) or did they break stuff up or become aggressive etc.? If they just marched then they certainly should have their records expunged!
birdiestrachan 6 years, 10 months ago
:roc wit doc only wanted to be PM at any cost. I am surprised by those who did not know this.
TalRussell 6 years, 10 months ago
Comrades, if the evidence in the pubic domain does fit Minnis expression of bearing witness on behalf the protesters before he became the PM, you must convict. I say brungs Loretta to testify as to the 'creditably predictability' to save the day for the Cabbage Beach protesters.
Shouldn't it be enough that the 'daughter' says he said - it''s time protest march over da bridge? What if we brungs all parties to a 'Put Ya Personal Credibility to Da Test Town Hall Meeting' to settle who all said and promised what?
birdiestrachan 6 years, 10 months ago
Roc wit doc connection to "we March" and STB if any will be interesting. Remember doc said he did not know toggie or boggie, and when he was found out. He said the man bought he fish twice. This story is a good example of what is done in the darkness will come to the light, "Watch out doc"
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
Minnis has a very small window to maintain TRUST among Bahamians ........ this story does not help him.
themessenger 6 years, 10 months ago
Ya'll talking bout the same set a people who broke down the white people dem gate and fence an wanted Perry an Obie to gie dem rights to trespass on an litter other people property like dey own it? These the same set a people who illegally blocked the bridge disobey da popo an carry on stupid in da road in front of da tourists? Doc, don' mind da noise in da market place especially when it comin from folks like Bird Nanny an Sheepshagger, ya can't please everyone so ya might as well please ya self.
licks2 6 years, 10 months ago
I listened to the most dumb thing I heard as an adult for a very long time!! Persons said that doc told them if they march with him he will make sure that their records are expunged. . ."IF THEY ARE CHARGED" and convicted in court. . .now persons want to PM to do something about their cases!! WHAT?????? Interfere with the court system? If I was doc I would just give yinna yinna damn country and let yall or the criminal PLP run it into the ground. . .or just do what need to be done and let yall talk fool like "we have the case in court. . .doc need to do something for us"!! I never really knew what they meant when they called this nation and nation of "people with their hands out". 40 years of friends, family and lovers politics has really made us into a nation of low-brow beggars. . . EVERYBODY MUST MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER FOR US! Lol!!
TalRussell 6 years, 10 months ago
{Comrades, I ain't doing the one thing I don't do, make this up}.
Amidst chants of "tear this fence down", angry demonstrators tore down the recently constructed fence blocking one of two access points to the beach. The fence was erected on Monday.
Red Shirts Leader Dr Hubert Minnis called this morning's effort "a sure sign" that Bahamalanders were fed up with the empty promises offered by the Christie administration.
People power is alive and well," he said. "Once the people stand together only positive things can happen.
PM, what in hell happened ya promise to 'stand together' with the protesters.... oh yeah was you only 'walklin on da bridge' for the photo op, opportunist?
Gotoutintime 6 years, 10 months ago
I guess if you are encouraged to wreck other peoples property and you are gullible enough to do it you deserve the consequences!
licks2 6 years, 10 months ago
No property owner in this nation has the legal right to block access to a public beach. . .that is apart of their being sold the property!! If the owners of the property in question put a "blockinh fence" and the government on power don't have it removed. . .which is their duty. . .the people reserves the right to remove it themselves. . .NEVER FORGET THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ONLY THE PEOPLE'S ORGANIZED ADMINISTRATION OF THEIR NATIONAL AFFAIRS. . .THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE THE OWNER" OF THE NATION'S RESOURCES. . .THE PEOPLE ARE THE OWNERS!! BY LAW THEM PROPERTY OWNERS CANNOT BLOCK ACCESS TO THAT BEACH. . .PERIOD! THE PEOPLE ARE NOW TELLING GOVERNMENTS THAT WE WILL NOT TAKE FOOLISHNESS FROM THEM ANYMORE. . .THEY BETTER GET IT RIGHT OR WE WILL "GET IT RIGHT" FOR THEM!
themessenger 6 years, 10 months ago
Licks, what kinda koolaid you drinking bey? You sayin if you owned beachfront property you wouldn't have no problem with people walking through your property day and night dropping their cans, bottles an styrofoam and carrying on bad in front of your place? Right of way and compensation to the land owner for providing it has to be negotiated and agreed on prior to the sale of the property not when some biggety no manners Bahamians decide das dey rights to trespass on private land. When the good Lord was handing out ignorance He empty the bag here.
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