Graffiti Left On Bye-Election Polling Station
[Updated] Graffiti has been seen on the polling station ahead of tomorrow’s [Nov 18] bye-election in Constituency #33 Sandys South, with the writing saying, “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray.”
The bye-election will see the OBA represented by Georgia Marshall and the PLP represented by Jamahl Simmons, and follows the resignation of Terry Lister, who announced on September 23 that he will be retiring from politics. The bye-election will take place tomorrow at the Somers Isles Lodge in Sandys from 8am – 8pm.
Update 11.59am: PLP candidate Jamahl Simmons said, “The desecration of what has become a virtual community centre for the people of Sandys South is unacceptable and has no place in our society. Despite the apparent positive message that was seemingly intended by the graffiti writer, there are better ways to express ourselves and put forth our views.”
“It is easy in light of the recent incidents of gun violence and a renewed focus on our troubled youth, to point the fingers at them and in a knee jerk fashion blame them for this act of vandalism. In the current political climate we should be cautious about jumping to conclusions and allow a proper investigation to take its course.”
“We pledge to work with the Somers Isles Lodge and the Bermuda Police Service to identify the perpetrators of this act and identify solutions that we can take to prevent a repeat occurrence. We further thank the members of Somers Isles Lodge for their swift removal of the graffiti,” Mr. Simmons concluded.
OBA candidate Georgia Marshall’s official introduction last month:
PLP candidate Jamahl Simmons’ official introduction last month:
Amen graffiti artist
This is boy scout stuff compared to some parts of de world, for NOW.
So you did it, or are you threatening the Bermuda public?
Look what religion has created.
Look what Jesus did! Look what Jesus did!!
He vandalized a polling station.
Um. Okay…
Graffiti with a apolitical, spiritual message.
Peaceful, calm and respectful, that’s how our elections and by-election should be conducted.
They could have humbled themselves not to desecrate property that doesn’t belong to them. Far better ways of conveying a message.
I agree and to think that its a place of Worship for de Free Masons, that’s like putting a Swastika on a Synagogue.
Respectful??? Its vandalism.
Is it supposed to be English?
It is English – a partial quote from 2 Chronicles, although an incomplete quote
I suspect that the author of the graffiti was disturbed half way through as the full verse should read
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Sounds like a very egotistical and threatening message! Translated as “If you don’t worship me, expect trouble”.
If that’s the way you view it, then you are already in trouble. Nothing egotistical or threatening…God is a jealous God and He will bring judgment. You can opt to not believe that or accept it for what it is, but you would be doing so at your own peril. If you don’t believe in judgment, then you’ll also not likely believe in His grace from this judgment that He extends out of love. But there again, if you don’t get the first bit, you’re unlikely to have accepted the last bit. Therefore, I conclude the way I started…if that’s the way you view it, then you are already in trouble.
Graffiti is an expression of street art not an expression of perfect English.
And I concur Kim, under the prevailing conditions it’s timely and graffiti.
So who gets to paint over it and pay for the paint and time?
You and me, de tax payers, de same people who are paying for de O.B.A/ubp, TBA and de Governor who don’t give a S…. about de average Bermudian.
Most graffiti is a form of street art, it takes on a statement where the form is the expression. This was not the case, it was an attempt at a biblical message with no other expression of form other than the words poorly scribbled across the wall, this was vandalism.
Elaine – as such a strong proponent and supporter of this act, please let us know where you live so Bermudian ‘artists’ can ‘express’ themselves with spray paint all over your personal property.
I’m not condoning this but at least it’s good graffiti…
They must have ran out of paint for de most important part, and turn from their WICKED ways…………………….
Maybe the qlq graffiti artist has been to church?
It could have been an O.B.A/ubp graffiti artist.
Ha. Lets not kid ourselves
So we’ve humbled ourselves and prayed, now what ????
Turn from de WICKED ways, then HE would hear us and HEAL de land.
““It is easy in light of the recent incidents of gun violence and a renewed focus on our troubled youth, to point the fingers at them and in a knee jerk fashion blame them for this act of vandalism”
No Jamal, I certainly didn’t jump to that blame conclusion, why did you?
does this facility have cameras
I think that’s a question for de premier.
LMFAO
just another religious hypocrite..
Read the whole verse in context and it is quite fitting for the times
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
It relates to farmers.
It’s probably that guy who lives on the side of the road up west. You know the guy I’m talking about.
Religious messages can be corrupted, and this being an example of how it can be done so. Even if it was put there by a good character, with good intent, the way it was inflicted upon the community ultimately demeans it. If it truly was an intent to promote a spiritually positive message, then there are more positive messages that could be used and more positive ways to provide them; however, as it is, the message and the way it was applied come off more as religious bullying.
Can’t say I have a problem with this. Hardly a desecration.
The violence, poor education system, poor governance by both parties, poor parenting, lack of a sense of a community, the constant turning of a blind eye towards those things by the public at large, now that is a desecration.
it is never a good idea to deface property no matter your good intentions. Christianity is proven more by actions then mere words. Yes we could look in ourselves and see what we need to do to right wrongs. This is just added another wrong to what is already wrong with society.
As a Christian I will pray that we get it together, but first I have to make sure that I am setting the right example to the young people that look at me and what I stand for.
I agree with you on defacing but you have to realize that not everyone agrees with Christianity concepts, yes it has a very positive impact on society but people forget from its roots de Crusaders were Barbaric in its conversion.
Too bad the spray can bandit won’t be caught. An appropriate penalty would be to make him/her paint the whole building.
Centurion: What’s this thing? “ROMANES EUNT DOMUS”? “People called Romanes they go the house?”
Brian: It… it says “Romans go home”.
Centurion: No it doesn’t. What’s Latin for “Roman”?
Now write it out a hundred times…and if it’s not done by sunrise I’ll cut your b**** off.
A desecration of what? A polling station? No, the legal term is vandalism, not desecration.
But I see neither, just an individual attempting to express him/herself in a positive, thought provoking way.
It may not have been the most lawful way of getting our attention, but it has gotten out attention, so we should move on without fear and/or recriminations.
An “individual attempting to express him/herself”?
Nah. It was a nutcase vandal.
Does it matter what the *legal* term for this act is? Would you be as thrilled if someone spray-painted phrases across your residence, even if it was the most positive message of all time?
Get back to us when someone spray paints/graffities your house or property , whether you agree with what it says or not . Then let us know how you like it .
Ghetto behavior .
Where is your house? I’d like to express myself using some old cans of spray paint that I have. Like the mess on the side of the building, it won’t be pretty but I’m sure you won’t mind.
Wow, Toodle-oo, Triangle Drifter and PBanks, very noble.
People have been affected by this by-election which has carried very toxic messages by Toni Daniels and OBA supporters.
It’s clear that you did not take the high ground when you all kicked off with your negative campaign, so now you express a sense of self-righteousness?
This person made their point, whether I like it or not, s/he made their point.
Stop whinging about everything and/or everyone.
Put a foot on my property and I will counter-express myself.
It might not be pretty, but I’m sure that you would look very fashionable as a human graffiti.
In fact I may just express my philosophical views for you to ponder.
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14″
Religion raises its crazy head…again!
Rather see that though wrong than
ALAH AKBAH.
Then again. Were not far from it.
Think before to dislike.
When we have someone alleging that one or other of our two political parties are “evil” then we have a major problem. That exact same reasoning is being used in the Middle East by Islamic radicals to justify the most appalling atrocities against others that they decree are evil. I greatly fear when we have religious groups of any kind deciding that they have the “moral authority” to decide that someone – anyone – in Bermuda is evil because of their political beliefs.
This is a potential serious threat to our democracy.
Lighten up @common sense its some holy roller who got brave (probably on the bottle)!!
A few years ago a certain West End resident went off his head and was scribbling religious messages all over the place-it looks like the same M.O. I hope the police recall this and go and question him…the handwriting even looks the same…