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Protest turns violent in Bermuda over airport deal

December 3rd, 2016 | Tags: Bermuda protest violence airport deal NDP
Protesters in Bermuda being pepper-sprayed by police on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Bermudians are against a Canadian company being given the contract for their airport development. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Bermudians are against a Canadian company being given the contract for their airport development. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Police in Bermuda stand watch at a protest infront of the territory's House of Assembly on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Police in Bermuda stand watch at a protest infront of the territory's House of Assembly on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Police and protesters faced off in front of Parliament on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Police and protesters faced off in front of Parliament on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Protesters in Bermuda on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
Protesters in Bermuda on December 2, 2016. Photo: Thomas C. Famous
HAMILTON, Bermuda - Two British Overseas Territories, the Virgin Islands (VI) and Bermuda, are going down the same path regarding the construction and extension of a new airport and runway.

As for the VI, under the National Democratic Party (NDP), there has been a proposal to have a Chinese company build, own and operate an expanded runway at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport as one option; however, after some verbal opposition, the Cabinet of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has been divided and the project is on hold.

In Bermuda, with the ruling One Bermuda Alliance of Premier Michael H. Dunkley, they appear to be going down the same road by allowing a Canadian company to expand the L. F. Wade Intentional Airport under a Build, Own and Operate concept.

However, in Bermuda, the opposition party, trade unions and ordinary citizens have taken to the streets in protest of the government's decision to allow a Canadian company to take over their airport.

House of Assembly blocked by protestors

It was yesterday December 2, 2016 that thousands of residents of Bermuda protested and blocked elected Members of Parliament from entering the House of Assembly.

The heated protest over the controversial airport redevelopment project turned violent yesterday, with police dousing protesters with pepper-spray and officers claiming they were assaulted.

However, protesters, union leaders and the Opposition Progressive Labour Party (PLP) have alleged that the officers needlessly disrupted a peaceful protest, sending at least one senior away in an ambulance.

Violence in the streets

Protesters, according to the Bermuda Royal Gazette, chanted and linked arms to remain in place and, during a heated altercation, police attempted to disperse them with spray. The move prompted a furious reaction from protesters, union leaders and PLP MPs.

People who were sprayed were seen treating themselves in the street with water and cream, while two female crowd members were helped into an ambulance. Witnesses said one woman was injured after a confrontation with police, and several officers reportedly attacked.

By 2:45 P.M. yesterday December 2, 2016 Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Kenneth H. Randolph Horton announced Parliament would be postponed until next Friday and the crowds began to dissipate, although a presence remained for the rest of the afternoon.

At the height of the tension, in front of the HoA, veteran PLP MP Derrick V. Burgess warned police some potential demonstrators may bring ammunition.

“I would like you guys to retreat — this is going to get dirty,” he said.

“You don’t want to mess with us. There are people with ammunition; they may come here — that’s what they told me. I tried to calm them down; they will shoot. They will come.”

Mr Burgess, who emphasised to The Royal Gazette that he had tried to calm people down, later said of the standoff: “This is white supremacy at work. This is the biggest thing to happen since the 1977 riots.

37 Responses to “Protest turns violent in Bermuda over airport deal”

  • Finish the story vino... (03/12/2016, 14:15) Like (48) Dislike (11) Reply
    but here in the Virgin Islands not a Da#n thing will happen, because our people are to Da#n soft to stand up against this National Disaster Party. End of story.
    • yes (03/12/2016, 16:40) Like (34) Dislike (5) Reply
      Yes, yes, yes. The only thing people do here is mind your business, tear each other down and talk S..t. No type of let's unite together and work together to make our Country better. Ask what you can do for your Country not, what my Country can do can do for me.
      • tom (03/12/2016, 19:33) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
        @Yes: you got that right. All Toliams do is gossip. Sickening
      • Oxox (03/12/2016, 22:12) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
        Most BVIslanders are mouth champions, but when it comes to visibly support a cause they hide behind the curtain. They promise to support but when the day of reckoning comes, despite promises of support, the cheese usually stands alone.
    • Big Difference (03/12/2016, 19:36) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
      Bermuda is protesting for the benefit of Bermudians. The few remaining BVIslanders protest would benefit the ungrateful lot of upper caribbean folks who are now enjoying the efforts of past protests and have nothing but negative for the BVI.
    • shaw (04/12/2016, 00:00) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      totally agree. No one has stood up for principle for decades. They see what is happening and turn the other way when officials do corrupt things. They don't press the Pier Park investigation- they give up- They don't force consequences, don't hold ministers accountable, Don't ask for debates while campaigning so we get to know who these candidates are. BVIlanders are afraid to speak out which is our own fault. When people do, they get bad-mouthed, threatened, reprimanded by neighbours. So why SHOULD people speak up? Because it is the right thing to do for the greater good. Study Burmuda for the people and how much power they can have.
  • cat (03/12/2016, 14:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • A World System (03/12/2016, 14:31) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Built on European privilege and now people are slowly waking up to the game.
  • covert (03/12/2016, 14:46) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    White supremacy still going strong, undetected and misunderstood by the unaware.
    • Real Beed (07/12/2016, 09:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bermuda's government is not white supremacy, it is half black, and that whole notion who suggest is retarded
  • l (03/12/2016, 15:15) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    yall low key inciting violence?
  • See (03/12/2016, 15:28) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    People in Bermuda got guts
    • @see (03/12/2016, 16:03) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
      yes they do unlike us...i baarn here is as tough as we get
    • @ see (03/12/2016, 20:21) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      People in Bermuda have unions and most important the unions protects the union workers
      • The Donald (05/12/2016, 10:35) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        ..and when Donald DeCastro is speaking up about unions ya'll cruisfy the man - just like ya'll did with Lindy DeCastro (Rasuhuru) and Noel Lloyd - whom benefited from their actions and being ostracized by the BVI elitists!!
        • dog (05/12/2016, 11:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          exactly. This is at least free speech, yet people get in his face. whether you like it or not, some people who
          speak up are the canaries in the coal mine. They warn people to look further into the issues. These people are courageous and should be respected. No one says you have to agree with them, but respect them for speaking up.
  • Tings hard all around (03/12/2016, 15:33) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    So most of the money for any kind of projects has to stay and circulate within the country, and not to be drained out somewhere else to help build someone else's economy. No more backward thinking. If we know better, do better. Economics 101.
  • Xxx (03/12/2016, 15:43) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hope this will happen here
  • Nice (03/12/2016, 16:03) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe if they had sued Mossack $100 mil, they could have used that money to build the airport easy! They, instead layed out a petty fine for a weak statement of our financial pillar.
  • Guest (03/12/2016, 17:57) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Everybody thinks they are protesters now....smdh...
  • voice (03/12/2016, 19:58) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Nothing happens here in the Virgin Islands because Virgin Islanders are outnumbered by outsiders. The outsiders kiss up to government to get what they want. They do not join the Virginislanders to get things done. They have their own agenda. They try to protect their own kind in the government
    • Hmm (03/12/2016, 21:00) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Real truth
      • trrefdrfds (04/12/2016, 10:48) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        Look out for self. The greatest unfairness has been the massive import of human cargo which has placed the BVIslander in a minority status. Why should they be ther protesting for the benefit of the jamdowns,vincentians,guianese,dingos and the other stragglers whose presence have downgraded quality of life and have nothing good to say bout the BVI. Even the illegals parade their illegal presence with no fear or concern of deportation. The BVI will soon be a pot of nothing worthwhile like where they came from so I look out for me and mine and it works in my favour.
    • Online Now (04/12/2016, 10:03) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Perfect excuse, blame the outsiders then you don't have to do anything. Pathetic!
      • @Online Now (04/12/2016, 20:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        The fact that there is sooo many outsiders on this tiny Island speaks to efforts of BVIslanders whose efforts have enabled these outsiders to migrat here for a piece of our pie. The influx though has been a curse in many ways. I would gladly join a movement to oust the excess of outsiders and limit the stay of those who come.
        • dog (05/12/2016, 11:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          and how do you chose? those who support your businesses? Rent cars? pay taxes? It is a slippery slope towards fascism.
  • just asking.. (03/12/2016, 20:41) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    So what you all bvi people going do?
    • Exactly (03/12/2016, 21:06) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      @just asking.. Man these BVI people is not going to do a darn thing but holler they were born ya and, I am a Tolian and the Government is oppressing them.
  • Bermuda girl (03/12/2016, 21:15) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Just to clarify, it wasn't thousands of Bermudians protesting. It was a mere, approximately, 300 protesters blocking the House of Assembly.
  • Grumpy (04/12/2016, 09:10) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Here, it is not white supremacy, but ASIAN supremacy. Let the Chinese get one foot in the door with the airport and we will be working for them, and they will rule. All they need is one stronghold and Natures Little Secrets are gone.
    We do not NEED an airport, what we need is a government that will work with airlines. We do not NEED connections to the mainland US (with packed immigration services), what we need is to fly through P.R. at a reasonable rate and at reasonable times!! Yeh, Inter Caribbean!!!!!! Hope it works (and it will until the government puts their thumb on success.
  • Glen (04/12/2016, 14:17) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    This will never happen here. BVI People just bark no bite, plus the island people afraid of this oppressive government
  • Political Observer (PO) (04/12/2016, 21:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look like Bermudians have more than a gift for gab. They agitate and take action on their dislikes, especially when government ignore their desires. They have the courage to exercise their constitutional rights. Virgin Islanders perhaps can learn a thing or two from Bermudians. They can get the courage to peacefully protest to make their voices heard and hold people accountable. Seems like Virgin Islanders courage passed with national hero Noel Lloyd. No one want to rock the boat anymore, for fear of the spigot at the trough being turned off. As result, no one cares what the people thinks. Nuff tark, done tark and time for action.
  • See (04/12/2016, 23:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    ok Trump
  • See (04/12/2016, 23:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    that was for Truth
  • yeap (05/12/2016, 00:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    If the people in the Bvi use to hold one head and come together and doing sh*t like this lots of things in the Bvi would be different that's y the government from do has they wish an we all just talk talk talk and kill each other the BVI is the only place in the world where the government can do what they want an the. People sit on there a$$$$e$ an just let them do 

  • W*F (08/12/2016, 09:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is Democracy at work in Bermuda. People has a voice, and if their leaders don't listen, there will be consequences. In the BVI we eat all the shit that fed to us, and keep our mouths shut. To get from under this dictatorial regime, we are going to have to stand up, speak out and be heard. Being passive is not going to work. NDP is enjoying the fact that they have us muzzled. Come on, let's shake the shackles, and muzzles and fight these Hippocrates.


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