Progressive Minds

PLP MP for Constituency 15, Walter Roban, JP, MP contributed the following piece:

Today (Tuesday June 16, 2009) I attended an event that was less like a mature political demonstration but more like a mob on their way to attend a WWF showdown. Like rabid dogs anxious for their pound of flesh, they were roaring loudly organized like a pack unsatisfied unless blood would be drawn.

Additionally, we once again have been graced with the announcement of another right wing pseudo fascist organization emerging from the depths of our island. As per usual instead of confining themselves to old style basements or a dark smoky meetings room, they now use the internet as their shadowy realm to hide and spew their venom and hate. Bermudians Against Terrorists B.A.T. (Bermuda affiliate of the British National Party) are clearly savouring what they see as a victory in terms of a strong show in numbers versus a poor showing for supporters of the government at the Cabinet Office. The fact that they appeared to represent a particular segment of the population colour-wise will be seen as a weakness.

Many people will believe this was a unique sight for some to see in Bermuda. It was not the usual hardhead union fellas out protesting labour dissatisfaction; it was what appeared to be the ‘country club crowd’ and their less affluent associates showing their displeasure for the so-called ‘Brown Administration’ (no pun intended). They also came to hear their Pied Piper and clarion-caller Janice Battersbee from the podium, reading off a litany of charges against the honorable Premier at what was appearing less like a rally and more like an outdoor trial. Was there to be due process? Will evidence of wrong doing be presented? Did they have witnesses? No, just the call from the mob with placards saying, Go Back to California! Dictator Brown Must Go Down!

As I was listening and watching all of this I asked myself, ‘Is this how they did it during the Witch Trials or perhaps this is how they finally put the flames to Sally Bassett?’ Ironically her statue was not far away from my sight. PLP Supporter, Laverne Furbert said on the BBC News Tuesday night (as she tried to be interviewed over a disruptive, ranting, rude white female protester), that it reminded her of the mobs that lynched Black men in the Southern US generations go. This group did come to do a lynching; they came to politically lynch Premier Ewart Brown.

The people on the lawn today appear to be a part of a group who have always felt we, the PLP, were not worthy of running the government. Their foul mood, foul language and name calling was so clear for everyone to see. The abuse was so widespread while the honourable Premier spoke the mob continuously cried out” Brown must go, “Brown must go! Brown must go, Brown must go!” They came to the Cabinet Office for name-calling and ridiculing doing all of this under the fraudulent veil of democracy, or at least what they believe it to be. This is what they came for. I also know that they were emailing people during the event pleading for them to come because the faces of their supporters were not ‘black’ enough. Today was really not that unique, more like a re-run of a scene over and over again in a bad old movie, similar to those terrible scenes in D. W. Griffiths ‘Birth of a Nation’.

We must remember, the members of the PLP and other progressive people are used to being called names, it comes with the territory. People like that mob called Dr. E. F. Gordon lots of names to the point that he responded to their indignity by changing his name to 'Mazumbo' to get their attention.

I remember they called Premier Jennifer Smith a ‘dictator’ when she introduced the amendments to the Constitution in early 2000 to bring about the aspiration of democracy and one person one vote, one vote of equal value with single seat constituencies. They even accused the PLP Government of a Bermuda-form of ‘ethnic cleansing’. I remember back then, the United Bermuda Party (UBP) complained about ‘the process’ as well.

They called the PLP names again and again when we sought to introduce a long term residents policy giving persons (who were neither Bermudian nor voters) some normalization their status in Bermuda. I remember they called Premier Alex Scott names when he put forward the proposal of a Commission to review Independence.

They called Dr. Brown and the PLP names when we removed the indignity of an Indigent Clinic to allow all Bermudians the opportunity to quality healthcare from a physician of their choice. Now, they are here again, calling Premier Brown names for initiating a humanitarian effort to give a home to innocent to 4 innocent men. At the same time the international community applaudes Bermuda’s courage. Is their protest really about ‘the process’ or is it about something else?

The pattern is clear here but the PLP and our leaders are used to it. I know that no ugly mob, no Pied Piper, or a group of the ‘Usual Suspects’ will stop the determination of the PLP. All of us who are members and supporters will stand by our government proving to the world Bermudians are a people of friendship, compassion and humanity. We believe in helping those in need and are prepared to stand for what is right not matter the cost. We stand, by our Leader and Premier Ewart Brown for his continued commitment and courage, in defence of what is right for Bermuda and her people.

PLP ALL THE WAY, ALL THE WAY PLP.