“Attended In Capacity Of Keepers Of Peace Law”
[Updated] Police officers attended City Hall this evening [May 18] in “their capacity of keepers of the peace law and in an effort prevent any breaches of the peace from occurring, while facilitating free access into the meeting for those members that were officially invited,” the police said this evening.
Finance Minister Bob Richards is hosting a meeting this evening at the Bermuda National Gallery at City Hall for OBA Members to hear “his presentation of the new terminal at the LF Wade International Airport,” and the MOVE group called for concerned residents to protest outside to show they they “oppose the redevelopment.”
Police officers outside the front door of City Hall this evening:
Earlier today, the City of Hamilton said that “at the suggestion of the Bermuda Police Service” and “due to unforeseen circumstances,” City Hall will be “closing at 4pm today for access by the general public.”
The City also noted they have a “policy that does not allow for events of a political nature to be held at City Hall” and said they “regret the fact that one of its tenants was unaware of this policy.”
The police arrived at City Hall earlier this afternoon, and were stationed at both at the front and back of City Hall.
The front door of City Hall was closed, and people used the back door to gain access to the meeting, with protesters outside chanting “Save our airport” and “No airport deal” as people walked into the meeting.
Police vehicles and officers at the back of City Hall prior to the meeting getting underway:
A police spokesperson said, “The One Bermuda Alliance Government scheduled a members only meeting this evening at the National Art Gallery inside of the City Hall building.
“The Bermuda Police Service were made aware thereafter that planned protests were to take place at this same location in objection to the OBA’s plans to construct a new airport.
“Police officers from the BPS attended City Hall in their capacity of keepers of the peace law and in an effort prevent any breaches of the peace from occurring while facilitating free access into the meeting for those members that were officially invited.”
Protesters greet Premier Michael Dunkley as he walks into the meeting this evening:
As of this writing, the meeting and protest is still underway, and you can view our live updates here.
Update May 19, 10.43am: The BPS released an amended statement saying, “The One Bermuda Alliance Government scheduled a members only meeting yesterday evening at the National Art Gallery inside of the City Hall building. The Bermuda Police Service were made aware thereafter that planned protests were to take place at this same location in objection to the OBA’s plans to construct a new airport.
“Police attended City Hall in anticipation of a peaceful protest. We have an excellent professional relationship with the Corporation and committed to working with them to ensure the event took place in a manner that was both lawful and safe for participants and visitors to City Hall alike.”
Law and order. Why are they protesting? When they,(Progressive Labour Party along with B.I.U.) held their meetings one didn’t see protesting from Gov. supporter
So Norman let me get this right, an elected Minister holds a meeting concerning our biggest Capital Project (as the Minister, not as a concerned citizen) which is funded by the PUBLIC, which the PUBLIC has been denied of financial information (PATI) and a LACK of TRANCPARANCY and OPENNESS and the meeting is ONLY for members of the political party that is denying the PUBLIC of crucial financial information (PATI), and you find nothing wrong with this, and the clincher is that building is not to be used for ANY Political or Religious events, but the Keepers of Peace Law are there for WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
White Supremacist Social Privilege at its best.
Smdh.
It wasn’t even a huge protest. Truly the same cast of people.
Same ‘rent a mob’. Same few faces. The media should question a few of them. See if they have the slightest idea of what they are protesting? The responses would be interesting.