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‘Pack your bags & go!’ – Edmund G. Maduro

-calls on elected representatives to end discriminatory practices by foreigners against locals
Talk Show Host Edmund G. Maduro last evening June 5, 2014 spoke out against what he believes is racial discrimination against locals. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Political commentator and talk show host Edmund G. Maduro last evening lashed out at elected representatives for allowing what he alleges to be the abuse of Virgin Islanders by foreigners who treat locals as aliens in their own country.

Maduro spoke during his EGM Radio Show on ZROD 103.7FM at 8 PM last night June 5, 2014.

He raised serious concern to a number of signs erected on various parts of the islands of the Territory warning persons to stay off the beach. He also cited persons being asked to leave the beach as they were selling or playing music.

“What is happening? What kind of discrimination are our people going through? Is it racial?” he asked.

“This beach problem is not simple. I am satisfied that it is racial. I dealt with it when I was the Deputy Chairman on the Physical Planning Board,” he said.

“The law says every beach in the Virgin Islands is a public place. Nobody can stop you walking on it,” he said.

“I am saying to you people that as long as Edmund Gregory Maduro lives [he will speak out]. If you don’t like to go into the same water with us, if you don’t like to sit at the same beach with us, get up from here and go home…we don’t want you here,” he said.

“We will never tolerate racial discrimination. Pack your bags and go!” he said, calling the behaviour “ugly.”

“But I will tell you this. Our elected representatives are more ugly than you,” he said. “Because one would think that our elected representatives would protect us against this nasty behaviour, but they are not doing it and I hope when the next elections come they all would do something about it,” said Maduro.

“I am saying to you our elected representatives, if you do not change this thing before the next election comes up, you cannot be qualified to run to be elected for a position. Every elected representative has the right and the power and privilege to stand up in the House of Assembly and call on the Premier or the Government of the day to bring to an end this ugly and nasty behaviour,” he said.

“We are terrorizing our own people and the time may very well come when we would want to know why they behave the way they behave. But people can only take so much,” said Maduro.

28 Responses to “‘Pack your bags & go!’ – Edmund G. Maduro ”

  • son of the soil (06/06/2014, 08:28) Like (19) Dislike (7) Reply
    I approve this message.
  • please (06/06/2014, 08:37) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    Rant on about a real serious issue affecting the territory and you may be heard.
  • qc (06/06/2014, 08:46) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    they do not care about us
  • I agree (06/06/2014, 09:24) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    If people really knew the law they would know ALL BEACHES ALLLLL ARE FOR THE PUBLIC!! No one can block or stop entry from OUR Beaches.
    • Wait! (06/06/2014, 11:21) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply

      Give me the details of that Law where you can walk on anybody's property to get to a beach. The Law says you are allowed to use any beach. It doesn't mention anything about how you get to the beach, big difference. Stop trying to fool people with bulls... and ignorant arguments.

  • The Issue (06/06/2014, 10:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's not the beach that is the issue, it is the access. The beaches are public but land by which they are accessed are private. So unless to access the beach from the water side on a boat, most will be trespassing on private property to get to it and it is this issue that should have been handled aforethought.
    • VG (07/06/2014, 12:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Like most of the beaches on the far south and middle of Virgin Gorda. Hmm
  • Wait! (06/06/2014, 11:20) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Edmund, for God in heaven's sake. USAGE of the beach and ACCESS to the beach are two completely different things. Nobody can stop you from using the beach, but they can stop you from using their property to get to the beach. You have no right to walk, park, drive through anybody's private property. Government is supposed to provide access to ALL beaches for the people to use. It's funny the expectations people like Edmund has for others while they themselves are so irrational and almost impossible to deal with on any issue. You can imagine someone walking through Edmund property? He would flip.
  • +++ (06/06/2014, 11:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would like to know where these signs are so that I can question those who put them up. The issue is access over someone's private land to get there. Legislation should be very clear and enforced on this. A compromise has to be found. But as far as behavior is concerned, I don't see this as racial. I see it as conflicts between those who go to the beach to be quiet and relax and those imposing their music on others. There has to be some consideration and that is not racial.
  • yellow (06/06/2014, 11:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Time to leave this island as it has become a police state and the citizens have no rights.
  • fraser (06/06/2014, 12:13) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Fraser is the best man to deal with this
  • It goes for all... (06/06/2014, 12:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have seen people erect fences and play enormous boulders near the entrance if the beach that it is virtually impossible to drive in at all. I don't think it's limited to be just a racial issue, I've seen indigenous people of both races do things like that...
  • jokes (06/06/2014, 12:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    But he say he dealt with it when he was deputy chairman physical planning board.
    LMAO thats the problem with these poppy shows, nothing to show but i must listen to
    them.

    He was chief immigration officer for 21 years again what do he has to show for it?
    answer the big mess we are in with immigration department.

    Not a suggestion mustless a solution LMAO
  • mother hen (06/06/2014, 12:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will this article stop the carnage of local people? I highly doubt that.
  • tretretrete (06/06/2014, 12:36) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    "PACK YOURS BAGS AND GO".... "SEND THEM HOME" any more favorite phases you have? As i keep saying why don't you send all the foreigners home and see what this country economy turn into. You too bad mind, i sure if you go to the united states you will have to blend in and that shit talk I FROM HERE will disappear. How much locals support their own. Is the foreigners support locals in every way possible, buy local, rent your apartment so i don't know what you trying to say pack and go.
  • dog man (06/06/2014, 12:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    they say it in the HOUSE already, if u think 1 little law will stop investor from coming into BVIs we have some thing come!
  • nanny cay (06/06/2014, 14:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Branson Johnson and Jerecki- learn from Nanny Cay and McColl
  • Really... (06/06/2014, 14:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Name one beach that has a no trespassing sign on it please ..... your key argument is flawed

    Its not the beach people are getting upset about, its the fact of the access, as private homes are developed on the beach front new accesses need to be made for the general public, Mr. Maduro I am sure you would come out and complain if I started walking through your back yard.
  • Local (06/06/2014, 15:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    do not depeand on teh NDP to do anything for we
  • wize up (06/06/2014, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maduro was in a position to deal with matters like this because he was part of the planning authority in this country NOW he have the nerve to be chatting @$$ on public radio !!!! but he have the right of freedom of speech...talk on maduro !!!!!

  • I Cry (06/06/2014, 20:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some of you may not agree with Mr. Maduro on many of the things that he speaks about but he is spot on with the issue of access to the beach. Use of the beach and access to the beach are part and parcel of the same issue. You cannot discuss use of public beaches without discussing access to them. Many of you who are blogging nonsense about people having right to their properties are off base. Allowing access to the beach is not violating the rights of the property holder. And for those who are inclined to spout off at the mouth, this is not what trespassing is. If local laws do not take into account access to the beaches then they need to be amended. Check other Caribbean islands and you will understand. Access does not mean an entire lane where you can drive a motor car, it can be a narrow track where people can walk comfortably enroute to the beach.

    Of course there is always an issue of safety and security but there are avenues to address those. How would you like those who own beach front property to be able to smuggle contraband goods or illegal firearms to our shores via their properties? Are you saying that the only means for law enforcement to police them is through access by the sea? Many of you have no clue what some of these people are doing with their ‘privacy’ that impact your lives so you remain oblivious to any clear and present danger that might exist. Ironically, if most of those people were locals you would argue that they do not have the right to block access but like everything else, we have different standards for different people. Do we know who are bringing in most of the illegal firearms? Do we know how they are making it to our shores? Are we so gullible to believe that they are only coming on the Ferries or perhaps on the speed boats that are seen blazing across the shores? Just ask the USVI how many time they have intercepted or found illegal weapons coming on those expensive yachts or other private boats. Keep burying your heads in the sand like the mighty ostrich leaving your rear exposed and be gleefully happy. We better wake up and realize what we are dealing with. If you think that only the so called ‘roughnecks’ are on the waters plying the drug trade you have something else coming. Where ignorance is bliss tis folly to be wise. Sleep on my people.
  • trrefdrfds (07/06/2014, 06:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The bvi is the law of the jungle
  • prayer (07/06/2014, 23:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jesus loves you mr. edmund maduro, and so do I. May God continue to bless you and your family. May your house become one of peace.May your generations be strong leaders, never having fear of standing up for what is wrong. For the comments that will procede after writing this post, as well as those who have commented before just remember that God loves you unconditionally. May positivity be the only attitude that you carry through out your days. May life never feel like a wheel thats just turning. May you never only live for the weekends, but live you life in the manner in which God has you to. May you when you have troubles that you will always be strong and trust in God. I am a child of Jesus Christ , and so are you ! God bless everyone!

    for the negative comments that will proceed, I will not be upset with you, for in this world our heavenly father gives us a choice. Who am I to be agree with a person's opinion ! it is actually a waste of the good time that the lord has given me to tell others about his love.. be blessed my family ! be blessed!
  • Howdy (09/06/2014, 10:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    After reading and rereading this article I am still trying to figure out who you think is being discriminated against when access is denied. Racial, I will get it when the sign says No White Guys from Texas Allowed. Why inflame people. Find a solution and we all can sit on the beach listening to music. Pink Floyd for me.
  • Irucy (12/06/2014, 08:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Run dem out of beautiful Virgin Islands by any means. A.S.A.P.


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