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Violence against Bermudians

Thomas Christopher Famous is a Bermuda based columnist who writes on political and social issues in Bermuda and the wider Caribbean. He has weekly columns in the following online publications; Bernews, Caribbean News Now, Today in Bermuda and The Royal Gazette. Photo: Provided
Riot police face off with Bermudian protesters on December 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
Riot police face off with Bermudian protesters on December 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
A protester requires medical attention following a protest that turned ugly when police began pepper spraying Bermudians on December 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
A protester requires medical attention following a protest that turned ugly when police began pepper spraying Bermudians on December 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
Premier of Bermuda, Michael H. Dunkley. Photo: Provided
Premier of Bermuda, Michael H. Dunkley. Photo: Provided
Thomas C. Famous

“What transpired in Bermuda last Friday was disheartening to see and unacceptable. Let me be very clear, I don’t condone the violence that occurred against our citizens and was deeply troubled by what occurred.” – Premier Michael H. Dunkley December 4, 2016.

The Premier hosted a press conference a few days after the pepper spraying incident on December 2, 2016. Royal Gazette reporter Sam Strangeways asked him if he had spoken with the Commissioner. ZBM reporter Gary Moreno asked him if he had spoken with the Commissioner of Police. VSB reporter Brian Darby asked him if he had spoken with the Commissioner.

He never said anything about speaking with the Commissioner on December 2, 2016.

During Parliamentary Question period on Friday February 10, 2017 the Premier was again asked if he had spoken to the Commissioner on December 2, 2016.

MP Walter Roban asked him who he spoke with. He said nothing about the Commissioner.

MP David Burt asked him who he spoke with. He said he was researching the log. Never said anything about speaking with the Commissioner.

MP Michael Scott then asked him the same question. He said nothing about speaking with the Commissioner.

MP Diallo V. Rabain MP then asked him the same question. Again, he said nothing about speaking with the Commissioner.

Then MP Zane Desilva then asked him. Finally, he said he spoke with the Commissioner.

MP David Burt then asked him who else he spoke with.

He said nothing about speaking with the Commissioner more than once.

Premier learns of police action via social media!

According to the Royal Gazette of Saturday February 4, 2017 this was the Premier’s reply:

“Michael Dunkley has told MPs that he first became aware of the deployment of helmeted police against protesters on December 2 when he saw images of them on social media.”

So his claim was that he first knew about police in riot gear once he saw images on social media.

Fast forward to Friday February 10, 2017 the Premier then admits that he spoke to the Commissioner on no less than six occasions on Friday December 2, 2016.

As per Royal Gazette on Saturday February 11, 2017 “Michael Dunkley has said he was in phone contact with the Commissioner of Police during the protests” of December 2. Speaking in the House of Assembly, the Premier said that he had six separate phone conversations with the Commissioner on the day of protests against the proposed airport redevelopment project.

Responding to parliamentary questions by David Burt, the Leader of the Opposition, the Premier said the first phone conversation with the Commissioner on December 2 took place at 8.29am, with subsequent calls at 10.15AM, 11.06AM, 11:45 AM, 1:12 PM and 5:55 PM.”

So some questions come to mind:

1 Why did the Premier refuse to state to the press that he had spoken with the Commissioner for over 2 months?

2 Why did the Premier initially refuse to state in Parliament that he had spoken with the Commissioner?

Keep in mind; by the Premier’s own admission, he spoke to the Police Commissioner at 1:12 PM. At approximately 1:15 PM the police riot squad appeared on Parliament Street where the violence against Bermudians commenced.

13 Responses to “Violence against Bermudians”

  • overseas (18/02/2017, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good piece chris
  • just asking.. (18/02/2017, 14:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the people who keep political violence going?
  • politricks (18/02/2017, 16:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can we trust Mr. Famous? He does not support the oba
    • Bermudian in NY (19/02/2017, 14:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      for real in fact he is a spoksman and organizer for the opposition PLP
  • On looker (19/02/2017, 00:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Powerful piece
  • -------------------- (19/02/2017, 13:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm not sure that the people have much of a role to play in this dynamic.
  • Chris Famous (19/02/2017, 18:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you all for taking the time to read.

    Please note that I put the sources of my information in my columns so the facts presented can be verified. By all means be objective but the facts cannot be denied.
  • Teacher (19/02/2017, 21:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Respectfully, this is not the correct approach. Making the entire issue about Thomas and who he supports just creates more of a distraction that prevents productive discussion on the merits of his ideas.
  • Reader (19/02/2017, 21:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The OBA and the police have stratagized themselves into a hole of their own making. Their only way forward is down!
  • FB (20/02/2017, 17:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bvi is not to far off
  • Grafting, pepp (20/02/2017, 19:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the beginning of what whites do to blacks when the wind blow and you see their tail-part. Take warning, Virgin Islands, if we do not contain our issues and strategically plan to combat the clandestine move of some resident Edomites, we will soon be in the same position in the BVI.
  • Silent One (20/02/2017, 23:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We bv islanders are not seeing the importance of trying to keep the white racist folks who come here out of our society. They surely want to come into our country and take all of what we have.. Meson the government are so blind that they can't even realize it...
    • @ silent one (23/02/2017, 20:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just ensure that it is adequately explained to our citizens, and the necessary training are carried out in preparation.


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