CURB Supports March, Commission of Inquiry

July 15, 2014

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB] said they are “in support of the March on Government House organized by the Progressive Labour Party in protest of Governor George Fergusson’s decision to decline the Bermuda Parliament’s request for a Commission of Inquiry to review historic incidences of land theft in Bermuda.”

A statement from the group said, “Based upon numerous verbal and written testimonies and documented research, CURB is aware of many historical injustices visited upon the black community by the white oligarchy over the past centuries.

“However there is anecdotal evidence that, in the more recent decades of the 1950s through the 1970s, collusion between bankers, lawyers and real estate agents may have also resulted in dispossession of land from a broader cross-section of Bermudians.

“Bermuda’s elected representatives, as expressed through a majority vote in the House of Assembly, felt that there was sufficient evidence to request a Commission of Inquiry into this issue.

“While CURB is in favour of providing the Governor with more information to bring further clarity about the issue of stolen land in Bermuda, we respectfully ask His Excellency to reconsider his initial stance against a Commission of Inquiry.

“An independent Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Governor would provide a framework for answering questions of historic injustices free from the influence of those that may have participated in said injustices. Such a process would represent the beginning of a process for racial justice, healing and reconciliation that is sorely needed in Bermuda.

“CURB is encouraging our members and supporters to join the March this afternoon in a peaceful and respectful protest. We also invite Governor Fergusson and the One Bermuda Alliance to reach out to us for further information about how these and other ‘historical harms’ can be addressed and ultimately healed going forward in Bermuda.”

Read More About

Category: All, News, Politics

Comments (34)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Terry says:

    “CURB”?
    Send me a list of members.

    This is crazy without even having to go into details.

    RIP my seaweed shores from which came much.

  2. aceboy says:

    blah blah blah

    We have bigger problems than this. It has been almost 100 years…why now? Politriks at its finest…and curb needs to stay OUT of it.

  3. Sandgrownan says:

    The Governor already said he would reconsider…..

    • Toodle-oo says:

      In one fell swoop CURB has proven they’re illiterate and lack comprehension/cognitive skills.
      So much for any little relevancy they ‘might’ have had.

  4. Put pupils first says:

    Firstly, I support a commission of inquiry.

    I do not, however, support the march as one of the main objectives is for the Governor to be recalled. It was a very rash decision by the PLP to take this route and also boycott the house last Friday. I do not trust their motives. Especially as the Governor gave guidelines on the information he needed before signing off on it. The PLP have taken an emotional issue and used it for their own agenda. One of their complaints is that the Governor said it was not urgent. This issue predates the current Governor by many years, so it is difficult to argue with his reasoning.

    Hope the rain stays away for those that do go.

    • Terry says:

      How much they pay you “Put pupils first”.
      I can read between lines; don’t em.

      • Put pupils first says:

        I don’t know whether I am flattered or insulted. I don’t get paid (my work permit restrictions do not allow it!)

        Out of interest, who did you assume paid me?

  5. Truth is killin' me... says:

    CURB apolitical…RIGHT!!

    • Lynne Winfield says:

      If you recall CURB came out against the PLP re passing the SDO at Tuckers Point, we marched and protested outside the Senate. CURB receives no Government funding.

  6. Ringmaster says:

    Let’s have a full Commission of Enquiry to cover all the allegations of questionable activities involving Government and MPs/Senators up to and including 2014. Let’s put all the myths and accusations to bed once and for all. I’m sure such an enquiry would have massive support.

  7. Truth Hurts says:

    It’s a shame CURB have done some good work but now they have shown a significant political bias and bang goes their credibility and integrity.

    • GOD1ST says:

      As long as curb gels with the OBA/UBP it is all heaven right ?

      • Kunta says:

        Yup they’re just PATHETIC!!!!
        Like a bunch of spoiled brats.
        lmfao

    • Lynne Winfield says:

      Did we show a “significant political bias” when we protested the debate outside the senate when the PLP were trying to push through the SDO for Tuckers Point?

  8. truth be told says:

    Mind de Curb please,all change!

  9. Ringmaster says:

    The question no one has raised yet is what happens if the Commission is indeed set up, hears all the evidence but rules that apart from a few individual examples it was all legal? In the few cases, any reparations would be based on the value at the time not at today’s dollars. In other words what if the result is not what the PLP wanted? This entire demand is a set up to create division and unrest. Who will suffer? The very people supporting the PLP’s call for action as businesses withdraw and jobs disappear. Sad to see how their supporters continue to be sacrificed for egos and monetary rewards of a few.

    • Coffee says:

      The sad and unfortunate part about your thinking is this …. Everything to you is valued in dollars .

      • Ringmaster says:

        How else do people pay for food, housing, services etc? Use bottles of pink sand? If you are OK with the Commission to issue an apology then fine, but unemployed people, and those who will be come unemployed would prefer jobs and dollars.

  10. Senior says:

    Some of you people are doing even more harm to race relations in Bermuda than anything else. You recklessly insult the PLP, black people and Bermudians generally and do you think that we are all illiterate and do not read what you say about us and are becoming more and more indignant. YOU are breeding hate – you are not helping matters!!

    • WillSee says:

      Just like-You people- insult me!

    • Onion says:

      Some posters indeed would be well served by listening to this.

      However the PLP has brought scorn on itself and to dislike the PLP has nothing to do with race.

  11. Alvin Williams says:

    Stand firm CURB for you have more credibility than the redundant Human rights Commission which pretends that it does not know why Bermudians are angry.

    • Sandgrownan says:

      And right there. You demonstrate your own racism and prejudice. CURB has always been a thinly veiled political tool, and now they drop the pretense which I suppose is finally welcome.

      • Coffee says:

        Many people feel the same way when it comes to the chamber of commerce and the UBP / OBA . Everyone has their own bias .

        • Sandgrownan says:

          False equivalence is still a false equivalence.

      • Lynne Winfield says:

        Short memory Sandgrownan – remember CURB protested outside the Senate with placards against the PLP when they tried to push through the SDO for Tuckers Point.

        • Sandgrownan says:

          You bring up the TP SDO repeatedly – such even handedness would presumably have led to CURB perhaps working with the supporters of a commission in framing it correclty so The Governor could agree? As you well know, the Governor did not shut the door to a Commission.

          Either you have been hoodwinked into supporting what clearly was a PLP political rally or you are as described. Which is it?

  12. Bull in a hurry says:

    Senior, I agree with you but what about all the hateful comments that white Bermudians are just expected to let run off their backs!

  13. Onion rings says:

    The british might as well take our financial paper trail into a commission of inquiry too. I think the have the ball rolling now!

  14. Huh says:

    CURB always agrees with the PLP no matter how wacky the thought or idea.

    • Lynne Winfield says:

      Not true, as above we have protested PLP actions, e.g. Tuckers Point SDO and stood outside the Senate with placards. Where were you?

  15. Onion says:

    CURB also need to get their facts straight. There was not a majority vote. Only 13 of the 36 voted for this motion.

    They also need to read what the Governor said.

  16. William says:

    i’e got one question for CURB: A black man sat next to me on the bus and literally in front of my face kept going on about how he hates (all) white people and that he doesn’t speak to them; throughout all of this he was constantly swearing at me. Now, does this fall under CURBs jurisdiction? Do you uproot racism directed at whites as well or do you only focus on the narrow minded view here that racism CAN only be directed at black people? Didn’t hear anything from you guys when that Filipino national was allegedly brutally attacked by a black Bermudian in what can only be described as a severe hate crime?

  17. Opinions Matters says:

    where was CURB when all the xenophobic racist remarks were made against foreigner in the last couple of weeks?