‘Presence Is Not Only Encouraged, Is Necessary’

March 13, 2016

“We must show up in numbers to show Premier Michael Dunkley that he and his OBA government cannot run roughshod over the futures of Bermudians,” Opposition Leader Marc Bean said in a statement this evening, adding that “your presence tomorrow is not only encouraged, it is necessary.”

Following Friday’s gathering – which resulted in the suspension of bus, ferry and garbage collection services — people are expected to gather again tomorrow morning and make their way to the House of Assembly again.

The statement from Mr Bean said, “Monday, March 14 could be a watershed moment in Bermuda’s history if the OBA government pass their Pathways to Status legislation. The futures of your children and grandchildren will be severely compromised if this legislation is pushed through.

“In 2012, prior to the general election, the OBA pledged that they would not grant Bermudian status to PRCs. Now, we have the Dunkley Administration, with no public consultation nor engagement, completely disregarding a major percentage of the population, and reneging on their election promise.

“The Progressive Labour Party stands firm behind our call for Comprehensive Bipartisan Immigration Reform. We understand that there are anomalies with the current Immigration policies that have caused families to be divided and we pledge to address these.

“In our view, all immigration issues should be discussed within the remit of a Joint Select Committee which would interview all stakeholders, special interest groups, and hear submissions from individuals to come up with a policy that can be supported by all of Bermuda.

“We are not anti-foreigner or xenophobic; in fact, many of our ancestors are natives of lands other than Bermuda. We also appreciate that there is an important place in Bermuda for guest workers, and we value their contributions to Bermuda.

“However, we must stand strong for Bermudians first. In a country of 21 square miles, we must have a practical, realistic, and fair immigration policy. This policy must be non-political, and must be based on balanced discussion with input from the wider community, not just the desires of one sector or one political party.

“Friends, the time is now! We must stand strong tomorrow, Monday, March 14 at the House of Assembly. We must show the One Bermuda Alliance Government that they were never given a mandate to award status in this manner.

“We must support our sister Enda Matthie as she nears the completion of one week of her hunger strike. We must show up in numbers to show Premier Michael Dunkley that he and his OBA government cannot run roughshod over the futures of Bermudians.

“We are calling on you to stand with us tomorrow! If you cannot be there all day, then please come after you finish work. Bring your children and grandchildren as we are fighting for their futures and they deserve to be a witness to history so they can tell the story to their children.

“Your presence tomorrow is not only encouraged, it is necessary,” concluded Mr Bean.

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Comments (38)

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  1. Anon says:

    Yes, bring children and grandchildren so they can witness the day that ignorance was overcome and the island did what was required to ensure the pension pot didn’t get exhausted to nothing….

  2. Cpt says:

    “Many of our ancestors are natives of lands other than Bermuda…” Uh, yes, that would be ALL not MANY. Unless someone’s people were having relations with a skink back in the day….

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      He left out the part where ‘status’ Bermudians are 2nd class Bermudians…

  3. Ok says:

    I think it’s more necessary we have buses running and people who actually have jobs at work…

  4. Runner says:

    Sorry. Gotta work to pay the bills. Ain’t no money coming from the BIU.

  5. Are you joking? says:

    You have got to be kidding me! And now the opposition leader is actually calling for people to bring their children and grandchildren???? What the hell are you trying to teach them? That it’s okay to break the law? No wonder our youth are turning out the way they are and starting out much younger with the “sense of entitlement” attitude! Seriously, do you really want people in power who are encouraging exposing children to ignorant, adult behaviour and calls for lawlessness??!!!!!

    • Its me again says:

      Martin Luther King broke the law… we know what happened there…

      • aceboy says:

        Comparing this with anything to do with MLK is shameful.

  6. .am says:

    If it wasn’t for the cancellations, I doubt anyone would notice.

  7. Really Really BETTTY says:

    This is a very critical matter for Bermuda. We must come out and Stand Strong Together. We must Stand for Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform. This is a historical time in our history.

    Stand with Enda Matthie Now.

    • IseeIT says:

      Amen Amen!!!! Will be their. Standing Strong

      • Smart Alec says:

        ISEEIt….try using the correct “there”. Maybe you should stand strong and go back to school. There’s a difference between ‘their’ and ‘there’.

    • bda441 says:

      Nah, I stand with real Bermudians. Those that realize our ancestors all came from somewhere else. I stand with what is right for my country and everyone who shares it, not some failed actress from Philly.

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      This is a pivotal time, the result of this will determine if our children will have to foot a larger bill for the errors of today… whether we will accept those who have earned a say in the issues that shape their lives, or reject them for a failed nationalistic ideology… whether we join the 21st century or continue to live in the shadow of the past.

    • aceboy says:

      Yea, but not on the weekend. That is YOUR time. You need to take the weekend off and rest up for Monday.

      Do you unerstand what Bipartisan means? Do you think that demanding a veto vote and then calling OBA MPs cockroaches is a good way to get Bipartisan agreement on anything?

      This whole thing is a set up and you are blindly being used by those who simply want power back.

  8. Mobylette says:

    Mr. Bean, you had too much pride to negotiate. Digging in your heels doesn’t work when a discussion was a possibility which you declined. You missed the boat. Condoned shout downs, traffic disruptions, those served no purpose but give the government of the day no choice but to move forward without engaging in a sensible conversation with those who opposed this legislation. Now you resort to the standby ‘discussion’. A call to Strike. Not my idea of statesmanship.

  9. Charlly X says:

    We Need Equal Rights & Justice !

  10. Build a Better Bermuda says:

    Opening oh encouraging the destruction of the country so that our children won’t have anything to inherit from us. Join him in enforcing 2nd class citizenship on people who have earned the right to have a say in the issues that govern their lives. And why, because he does feel he should have to earn people’s votes when he can emotionally garner them.

  11. j says:

    I am Bermudian. I support the OBA’s immigration reform. Nobody is “running roughshod” over me.

  12. SMH says:

    There won’t be a future for your children and grandchildren if you are against the rebuilding of Bermuda!

  13. Not given says:

    Praying for Bermuda. How can it be that anybody can look at themselves in the mirror knowing that they are denying another person citizenship and the right to vote in a country they have been born in, and grew up in, effectively leaving them as second class citizens in the only place they call home. Sad. It’s like history repeating itself… The irony that the unions are supporting denying people rights.

    • Coffee says:

      Honestly , cut the crap … Responsibility must be placed solely on the shoulders of parents who carelessly planned out their children’s future . Oh wait .. The parents are highly educated expats .. My bad !

      • jt says:

        Interesting. Very interesting indeed. How broadly are you willing to apply this parental responsibility? I wonder.

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      The trouble with Mr. Bean is, even if you are granted status, he still sees you as a 2nd class Bermudian, and if Premier would probably enshrine the laws to make it so.

  14. Me says:

    “many of our ancestors are natives of lands other than Bermuda”

    So , how is it that these descendants are here in bermuda?

    It might be that they also went through the same reform at that time?

  15. The Facts says:

    Why does the BIU/PLP choose to protest when we have children that need to be in school. Stopping public services is showing your lack of leadership. Stopping public transportation causes big Problems for our kids going school and puts them behind in there education. Clearly u don’t care about there future, you only care about getting in power. I am a young black Bermudian and you would never ever get my vote.

  16. Domino says:

    Wow now it is ‘necessary’ to bring ‘your children and grandchildren’. What happened to our priorities? I thought we needed to educate our children so they could be our future, make history and tell their children.

    • jt says:

      There will be many schools carrying on as usual. Moving those students ahead.

  17. Moonshadow says:

    Bermuda’s future is at stake…and many Bermudians are out of step with reality. We need more, not less, people committed to rebuilding Bermuda’s future. Be careful what you wish for…

  18. Not given says:

    Not only passing this bill encouraged, it is necessary.

  19. Really? says:

    Wow… The power of jealousy, hate and greed is so blinding. I feel sorry for any children that will be kept out of school to witness this sad and ignorant movement.

  20. Not smart says:

    Wonder how much more of this the Exempt Companies will take. One day they are going to call our bluff and split. Then where will we be?

  21. Cristina says:

    This is stupid. Nothing new from this guy.

  22. Takbir Karriem Sharrieff says:

    We are all in this struggle together.Black ,White,Blue,or Green,old and young,rich or poor,babies yet unborn,.This is Bermuda,2016.History in the making.Allah-u-Akbar,Al-hamdullilah,La -illah-ha-Ill-Allah.Bring it on.Peace.The struggle against in-equality continues.

  23. Paula Paget says:

    Will the Opposition Leader understand when his employees do not show up for work today? It is my understanding that the betting shop was open and it was business as usual on Friday.

  24. Something stinks says:

    Sure keep them out of school they can grow up talking like him.
    And this is who people want running there country..

  25. S says:

    And I, by the way, am a Bermudian by birth and I support pathways

  26. Warlord says:

    Give Enda another smoothie,and go to work .This bill will be passed so you are wasting your time.