Video: BIU President On ‘Pepper Mist’ Comment
[Updated] BIU President Chris Furbert is holding a press conference this afternoon [Nov 20], and we will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
Update: Mr Furbert addressed the comments made in the past by Dwayne Robinson, who is the OBA’s candidate for tomorrow’s by-election and a former host of the online video show ‘It’s That Type Of Party.’
In video from his past show, Mr Robinson commented on the December 2nd protests, saying that people “came out there to be pepper sprayed” and they were subject to “pepper mist” not “pepper sprayed,” as if “it was pepper spray, she would have hit the asphalt like a sack of potatoes.”
In response to our queries, Mr Robinson said: “This clip is almost three years old and at that time I was still a frustrated and undecided voter. However, I sincerely apologise for causing offence. I did not convey my opinion in a respectful manner.
“I did this video when part of It’s That Type of Party. When we released it in 2016, we received backlash and realised we had been insensitive, so we decided to remove it from Facebook. At the time, we overlooked removing it from YouTube, but it has now been taken down.
“I have matured in the last three years. I have gained more experience, I have just got married and I am older. I also stepped down as a host of ITTP over a year ago when I became a Senator. I am still committed to working on behalf of the constituents of C17 should they select me. I vow to prove myself through action.”
Speaking today, Mr Furbert said the comments were “extremely offensive” and he does not recall Mr Robinson apologizing to the people at the time.
The OBA is scheduled to hold a press conference later today and we assume this will be mentioned, so we will post that video later on, in a new article.
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 14-minute replay is below
Why isn’t Furbert asking why our Premier was never called to the select committee to give evidence? why isn’t he asking what involvement the premier may have had in organizing this protest?
why doesn’t he have a press conference to address the increased taxation, the rise in grocery bills, the lack of new jobs?
have you never made a mistake Furbert?
This is utter hypocritical BS
lol, he does not want to be told the truth!
PLP win only because they stir-up hate. Bermuda is in decline.
PLP win because they exploit their voters who tend to be uneducated, low on the socioeconomic ladder, of low intelligence level, and unbelievably gullible.
Sad but true.
It is very very clear that the PLP is scared sh1*&ess that they might lose this seat
It is Very Very clear dat Ya Funny
25-11 or 24-12 will be the outcome
why would PLP be scared “______” to lose the seat?
..because it might mean the start of a shift in opinion.
Because it tells them the people have lost faith in them
TO RED ROSE:
Rather embarrassing for Mr. Robinson that he does not even know the full logistics of the PEPPER SPRAY incident.
Gee, it would be magnificent if Mr. Robinson identifies with his own.
Robinson would need to recheck his allegiance to his people first. Poor dude.
The men on Court Street know more about their identities than Robinson. Rather sad.
Just look at de Union as de NAACP of Bermuda.
What’s really embarrassing (and sad) is that she still thinks the OBA had anything to do with it.
These people were blocking parliament ILLEGALLY!
“Robinson would need to recheck his allegiance to his people first. Poor dude.”
Really? Who are “his people” please?
Please also tell me who Jason Hayward’s people are.
I live in Pembroke Central and I would like to know if I am “his people” or someone else’s “people” or whether I should simply give up because my vote no longer counts.
It’s the new “combined opposition”. Just like the People’s Campaign (which of course disappeared after the election). And just like the assistance of the Union to block pathways to status.
It’s an obvious tactic that’s getting old, to be honest. Bermudians will vote on how they feel. And I don’t think many feel great right now.
He says if he had not reigned from ITTP to be a senator, Dwayne might still be at ITTP …. duh!
Why is the union slandering a political candidate the day before a by election. This island is incredible. The police sprayed the public with pepper spray not the candidate!
THAT’S POLITICS, BET IT’S DONE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Ok lets be crystal clear, now have a press conference on the bus service, and out national debt!
That and the plummeting confidence in Bermuda since the last election.
Sorry , aint neva gonna happen !
A press conference on a bus schedule that is not pulled within a few days
Whilst I have no doubt the PLP candidate will win tomorrow, the PLP and their affiliates (ie the Unions) must be seeing some worrying signs for them to go all out in attack mode as they are for this non-event of a bi-election.
TRUTH RIGHT DER^^^THEY THROWIN’ EVERYTING AT ROBINSON AND THE OBS BUT THE KITCHEN SINK! MUST BE CLOSE.
I suppose the take away from this is that we shouldn’t forgive people.
Things intelligent people are tired of seeing endlessly weaponized for political purposes ..
1)Pepper spray gate
2)Jetgate
3)AC
Shall I go on ?
A whole press conference to denounce something that was stated three years ago? To what end?
This tactic is very foreign for someone so pro-Bermudian.
Very speck of dust in your eye plank of wood in my eye…..I.e. Biblical.
As a person that tends to sympathize with labour more often than not….. I am disappointed.
agreed, Trump style
I am not so sure ablout the outcome but wonder will Mr. Hayward being wearing his “Union Thug” T shirt and will he explain how he avoided getting pepper sprayed?
Would be a great test to see what Hayward does if he loses. Everyone in C17 should vote Robinson in just to see what happens to friends and family.
24-12 if Hayward loses
nothing will happen with friends and family
He will be the next BPSU general secretary, that is why he stepped down as president.
Remember the post was advertised recently?
24-12 I get it . Just show me where the money is coming from to keep this place going.
Ohhh I forgot, we are bringing back our pension money from overseas! Great idea – let burn that up and we are truly in our own. US$1 – $140 Bermuda sounds nice!
He is just another water carrier
Jason was selected by the PLP Central Committee. He was not the first choice of the local PLP branch. Does that answer your question?
Regardless of what one thinks about Senator Robinson’s comments on a personal level, this is a clear overstep by the BIU in trying to manipulate the result of a public election.
You really have to question the motives of the BIU (or more specifically the clown leading them) essentially begging the public not to vote for someone in place of another. The optics just scream blatant cronyism. Seems the PLP propaganda machine’s roots run deeper and farther than originally expected; not that anyone is surprised, mind you!
???
YAWN.
Everyone just needs to effin relax!!!!!! its not that serious it was a joke made 3 years back everyone makes mistakes !! vote Robinson !!!
VOTE UBP/oba……..NEVER AGAIN.
Right. Now tell us why. In your own words of course. Not what dr brown and co. have told u to say.
If you put you name in the political arena then you have to first check to make sure that you have not done something stupid or shady in your life some mistakes can effect you for the rest of your life
Young Robinson should forget politics
What about Rolfe? How come he gets a second chance?
Lets have another press conference why at 643pm the trash in pembroke isnt picked up yet.
I feel you – trash in Warwick that should have been picked up on Tuesday wasn’t collected until after 2.00pm yesterday.
Titty Milk, Titty Milk, TITTY TITTY TITTY MILK………a Hahahahahahahahahahahah!
I have voted in at least 11 General Elections. 2012 was the first time I didn’t vote for the PLP. And yes, I did vote for a Party. If this present Government continues on their present path; I will be voting for another Party again. La verdad.
just can’t listen to this ignorant,twisted,un informed, biased crap.
Why is the BIU even involved in this? Oh wait, I know.
Speak English FFS!
What he said was NOT GOOD, BUT BAD! GLAD He apologized. He was with a MPs son, thus was most likely listening to propaganda from his partner’s side more than the views of those protesting, thus would speak against the protestors. He is young enough to do better for himself & Bermuda.
Did Chris Furbert think we would not know it was him and his union behind this childish BS attack!! Calling a press conference the night before the by election sort of gave it away. Nasty tricks biu,, nasty!!!!
If you put you name in the political arena then you have to first check to make sure that you have not done something stupid or shady in your life some mistakes can effect you for the rest of your life
Young Robinson should forget politics
Fall of the Fiat. Here is a industrial revolution with A.i and automation, your job isn’t secure, taxation is theft, no matter what side of the coin you flip it’s the Queen’s coin, I’m not property, or a commodity for corporate interest, and the island is slowing going to eat itself, learn how to grow your food!