SJB Reiterates Call For Jones To Be Removed
The Social Justice Bermuda group have reiterated their call for the OBA to remove Marcus Jones from the Senate, saying they “cannot ignore the context” of the “right−wing extremism.”
Background
Last month Senator Jones posted a message on Facebook expressing support for President Trump, saying that “Since he was elected as President in 2016, Holy Spirit has prompted me to be an intercessor for your President who in that time has become my President.”
In the Senator’s message, which he signed as “Senator Marcus J Jones”, he made two references to a page, and a search shows a Facebook page matching both references appears to be a page that promotes right wing conspiracy theories such as denials of the US election results and references to the “deep state.”
In response to Bernews request for comment last month, a statement from Senator Jones said, “A recent post on my personal Facebook page does not reflect the sentiments or is supported by the One Bermuda Alliance. My intent was not to offend and what I thought was a private note to an International Prayer Ministry I inadvertently posted to my home page. This post has now been removed from my Facebook page.”
Following the post last month, the OBA said, “While the One Bermuda Alliance recognizes that Bermuda has the privilege of religious freedom and that each one of us is entitled to their own personal opinion, their opinions may not necessarily reflect the sentiment of the Party, which is the case of the recent social media post from Senator Marcus Jones. With that said, as a Bermudian political party, we have no intention of officially commenting on, or of getting involved with the internal politics of the USA or any other country.”
SJB Statement
The organisation noted that they “reached out to the One Bermuda Alliance for an update on their refusal to remove Marcus Jones from the Senate, but they have not responded.
“We advised the OBA that if they continue to avoid taking action, we will continue to remind the community that Marcus Jones is unfit to serve in the Senate,” they added.
An SJB spokesperson said, “On January 17, One Bermuda Alliance Senator Marcus Jones posted that he is praying for America and President Trump, saying that ‘since he was elected President in 2016, Holy Spirit has prompted me to be an intercessor for your President who in that time has become my President.” Senator Jones goes on to say that, unlike him, ‘most cannot see God’s hand’ in Trump’s appointment. ”
SJB added that “this Bermudian Senator felt it was good and proper to declare himself a ‘staunch supporter’ of Trump, even after he was impeached for inciting an insurrection” that resulted in people being killed.
“Senator Jones felt called to give this ‘prayer’ on behalf of ‘God’s cherished nation, America’ after listening to Dutch Sheets, a self−declared ‘prophet’ that has been repeatedly highlighted by ‘Right Wing Watch’, an organisation dedicated to monitoring and exposing the activities and rhetoric of right−wing activists and organizations in order to expose their extreme agenda,” the group added.
“On January 7, Dutch Sheets posted this video, called ‘The Day After’, where he spouts conspiracy theories that Trump won the election, speaks with pleasure about the activities of the prior day, and prays that God will intervene and not allow Joe Biden to be inaugurated.
“In other videos, Dutch Sheets expresses how upset he is in the Democrat’s pro−choice view, but, like so many others, ignore’s Trump’s racist, sexist and fascist record.
“It’s clear that Senator Jones’ Facebook post goes beyond ‘different political views,” they added, with the group alleging that “it shows he’s been indoctrinated into cultish beliefs that are in a territory beyond fact and reason.”
“We cannot ignore the context of this dangerous right−wing extremism, which has been declared a security threat. His position clearly calls his judgement into question and we are once again calling on the OBA to remove this man from the Senate,” SJB said.
We asked the OBA for comment on SJB’s statement and will update if able.
Update: The OBA said that the OBA Leader previously made a statement [which is printed above] and that is the “statement that stands currently.”
Mr. Jones has every right to support a candidate of choice. PLP has allowed and encouraged discriminatory remarks but has a problem with others following their conscience. Mr. Jones can and should continue his political beliefs and not go by Biden’s “if you black” you can’t be for Trump. American Democrats have “selective” thinking and rules seems Bermuda does too concering who to support based on skin color. Why are black golf outings being promoted but it would be racial if white golf tournaments promoted.
In fairness to SJB they came down hard on the former PLP MP-to-be-Senator after the last election, because of his prior actions and comments. They seem to be one of the more non-partisan pressure groups in Bermuda today.
@PBanks, Are you for real, or are you like SJB, with their head stuck in the sand, Let me make it categorically clear that Mr. Marcus Jones and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of issues, just based on the fact that he is O.B.A, But where does that give us the right to feel he has nothing to contribute and ask for his removal.
he sooner we realize that we will never get to resolve anything in our Community of Color, until we deal with what we do to each other continually and the prejudices we hold still to this day against our own.
I say to Mr. Marcus Jones continue to stand for what you believe, and for the record, I am a supporter of President Donald Trump, So does that make me a part of the White Supremacy Supporters, I support Democracy, not Hypocrisy But to many of our own is caught up in emotionalism instead of dealing with facts and truth of matters.
Mr. Jones support of President Trump in my view is being taken out of context and for SJB to pollute their reputation from the good they tried to do last year, to now trying to attack everything from Mr. Jones views and opinions to “PRAYER IN SCHOOLS”, Just is ridiculous within itself, Go back to your drawing board and take on issues that really can bring about much needed change.
they could have done that is create that impression time will tell if they a part of the maxis ideology with identity politics of equity or if they are looking for fairness and equality.
LOL time will tell.
why dont this lot go for a long walk off a short pier. The man has an opinion just as they do and not all are necessarily right. This sounds more like a political vendetta. Strike 2 . And what does an opinion have to do with social justice.
Yep, agree with Bug Off. Social justice. Get over yourselves.
Who are the people behind SJB? It’s easy to throw stones behind a veil.
Not sure but they do have a website, FB, Twitter and Instagram so maybe the answers can be found on those platforms.
We are not allowed to know who the people behind SJB are
PLP is more right-wing than any other Party in BDA’s democratic history.
Now that is 100% true. The PLP are certainly more right-wing or conservative or whatever you want to call it than the OBA. Now that we have 30-6 in the House of Assembly, that’s not a democracy – that’s an oligarchy. A new oligarchy.
But what I really want to know is, is Marcus Jones even an American? If not, why is a Bermudian politician vocally supporting a foreign politician? Put aside the myriad of reasons why Trump is a cult leader and a truly awful human being, is this even patriotic to Bermuda?
Let’s see if this latest pet project survives longer than 5 minutes.
LMAO supporting a democratically elected candidate who you disagree with is “right wing extremism”!?
SJB is laughable. They should focus on things that actually matter to the lives of people in Bermuda instead of trying to keep themselves relevant by latching on to whatever is trending on social media.
Just an FYI – Senators in Bermuda are not elected. They are appointed by their Party Leaders, with the exception of the 3 Independent Senators that are appointed by the Governor.
Donald Trump is the democratically elected candidate that SJB disagrees with who Jones supports.
Trump lost the November election.
You might have missed that.
He did but the talk of election irregularities have never really been investigated there were dismissed as crazy cultist beliefs and the courts did not even see any evidence they dismissed them on standing not merits but what ever time will tell. Did you see the Times Magazine article on the powerful, rich “cabal” their words not mine on how they “fortified” the election to achieve the desired results.
LOL interesting read if anything. Never take my word for it look it up.
I find this absolutely unbelievable that SJB would condemn someone for their political beliefs. How would they feel if we condemned them for backing 3 Time Lucky Joe Biden the extreme left wing liberal.
Everyone can have their own political beliefs doesn’t matter if one is Conservative, Liberal, Communist, or what ever.
So get a life.
If you believe that supporting Trump has any basis in political beliefs, then I have some news for you Lol. I mean, you don’t have to like the Dems or Biden but you also can’t be so blinded by the Trump cult that you can’t see he’s all about himself and no one else. But you do you, k?
Actually it is YOU who is blinded by the so called Trump-cult. Your hatred of a guy that is totally manufactured by the media.
Aaaaaand we have our first cultist right here! Step right up folks! Have a glance at one of the cult members who thinks that mysoginy, racism and nepotism are actually positive traits that a leader should possess. Yes, sir, indeed!
An American died at the hands of a Neo-Nazi in the year 2018 in Charlottesville but that’s ok cuz you know what? There were “fine people” on “both sides”! That’s right, paying customers….people still give that a pass. But that’s ok…..the media is to blame.
Lol.
lol
Cultist. You want to cancel me nancy?
Nah, I don’t want to cancel you because you do that to yourself just fine. I’m just pointing out your bigotry. If you find traits like mysoginy, racism and nepotism acceptable, that’s on you. Tells me you have no political philosophy ERGO you are in a cult. And just like so many of your cult colleagues, your inability to counter anything anyone says also reveals that you have a very narrow view of the world.
Shame because you could probably do a lot of good if you wanted to.
You know nothing about me yet have already decided who and what I am. That is so….let me see….CNN-like.
Being the great social justice warrior that I am sure you think yourself to be, help me out with this one:
Do you agree that trans gender biological males should be allowed to compete against women in all sports?
I shall wait for an answer with baited breath.
It’s all coming out now watch some independent news and find out about the Frankfert institute. Your answers lye there.
LOL don’t believe me though look it up for yourself. Ask yourself why people who would naturally be skeptical of the system now seem to down with it cause corporations seem to also be down with it even if they run sweat shops elsewhere.
They call themselves “Social Justice” yet they want to remove the constitutional right to freedom of expression from Mr. Jones, if not everyone in Bermuda
That’s what the left wing anarchist do and will continue to do.
Umm, no. It is the ultra right-wing people, like Vladimir Putin, who want to take away your rights.
The left wing (labour) all want jobs for life and equal rights and wealth for all no matter how hard one works or how frugal one lives. It is called socialism.
actually they want equity.. ie special rights based on group identity…….
LOL by the way treating one group of people beater at the determinate of another group based on identity is called …… man forgot the word maybe the guy who wrote the now sprayed over street art on Palmetto Road knows…….
meant “better”.
SJB is out of line.
I recommend SJB to watch the movie The American President and in particular the brilliantly written speech given by Michael Douglas near the end. That sets out the real meaning of free speech.
What authority does SJD have to recommend anything? Mr. Jones has a right to his own opinion.
I think I said this in another thread on the matter. I think we would probably agree Jones hasn’t really read the room well (probably the most charitable I can be), and at worst he’s an idiot.
However, he is entitled to his opinion and he is entitled to express it. The problem is this: By not condemning his statement, the OBA are at best letting it slide, and at worst condoning it. SJD cannot demand anything, but what they are doing is challenging the OBA and holding them to account for one of their members.
In a corporate setting, he’d be fired instantly.
Leave the man alone! Freedom of speech sweethearts.
I don’t think you know what it means.
Look in the mirror.
LOL I may not agree with what you say but I would stand up for your right to say it.
Be careful, all freedom of speech means is that you cannot be prosecuted for expressing a view. It doesn’t mean it comes without consequences.
In this case, whatshisname can say what ever he likes. SJB are simply challenging the OBA. By doing nothing, they signal their tacit approval perhaps?
Silencing ideas instead of talking about them and debating their merits or failings are more detrimental to the whole of society and how you foster irritability and resentment towards one another.
LOL they just crazy those hills have eyes ….
No-one is being silenced. I believe MJ put his comments on FB…he could write to the editor too, he could stand of a street corner with a placard….he can say whatever, whenever and to whomever he likes. And I, like you, fully support that.
What SJB are doing…as Ive pointed out ad infinitum, is challenging the OBA to say whether they agree or not.
SJB you need to get your priorities in order. You’re making a big deal about nothing. There’s more important issues you should be addressing. Mr. Jones has every right to freedom of choice.
SJB needs to get over it,Marcus Jones FB post about Trump does not warrant him being removed from the senate
How does SJB feel about the bus strike today?
Irrelevent
So the ineptness of our taxed run services is irrelevant?
Do you even think before you write anymore.
LOL
You misunderstand. It’s vitally important, but it’s not a social justice / human rights type issue. It’s just the PLP being crap. Sadly.
It’s irrelevant to SJB’s remit. You may as well ask KBB or the WRC or Greenrock to state their position on it.
SJB should be all over how unacceptable damaging peoples lives and income the bus strike was.
The premier said it was unacceptable, so SJB should be punishing him constantly and get him to tell us what he is going to do about something that in his words is unacceptable.
1. The SJD has the right to recommend whatever they like. The same as Mr Jones has a right to his own opinion.
2. Mr Jones DOES have the right his own opinion. However, Mr Jones, by his own words, does not seem to share the values that he has purported to in the past.
3. If Mr Jones does actually align his beliefs with those of Trump, then how can he justify his participation in the OBA. Unless the OBA aligns itself with Trump’s beliefs, which to my knowledge they haven’t in the slightest. And in the reverse, how can the OBA turn a blind eye to Mr Jones’s beliefs if they do not.
4. So, either Mr Jones has lied in regards to his values, which in my view is a valid reason for him to be removed from the party, nevermind just the Senate. (reading a quote on his candidate page suggests he has.) Or the OBA needs to come clean.
5. Presently, I don’t believe that Mr Jones aligns with the worst of Trump’s beliefs given what I read about what started all of this. And I also believe that the OBA is being horrible about their response. We’ve (the country) too long gone with the mindset of sweeping things under the rug and pretending they don’t exist. It’s 2021, a year where we should not be taking that crap anymore.
Its the fear of being labeled a traitor to his race (worst sin ever) and by association the SJD is trying to label the OBA as the racist party. come on man keep up same trick different heading.
LOL tricks are for kids and zombies you’ll thought the pentagon was crazy for thinking about zombie attacks…..LOL
SJB has very little credibility in my view. Their uninformed and unfair picketing of the last US Consul , a true gentleman, was out of line and unbermudian. Donald Trump had 75 million voters in the US that put their names on paper supporting him. I, along with many fellow Bermudians, also support many of his platforms. I do not support the current President but would never picket an incoming choice of his for the US consul
Position in Bermuda. Shame on you SJB. You do not represent what Bermuda stands for by any stretch.
Remember there will be no motivation for a revolt until you can convince the potential rebellionies (not a word I know) that they are subservient and are oppressed.
LOL that Frankfert Ins know it all…