Hashtag: #Dec2Protest
Court: 52-Year-Old Asks For Supreme Court Trial
52-year-old Edmund Smith appeared in Magistrate’s Court for the third time and asked that the two charges against him be sent for trial in the Supreme Court. Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo acceded to Mr Smith’s request and ordered him to attend the February Arraignments. Smith had originally been charged with assaulting a police officer and... Read more of this article
Roban: Response From Governor ‘Falls Short’
“The reactive response from the Governor to our request for a public, independent investigation into the pepper spray events of Friday, December 2nd falls way short of the reassurance that Bermuda needs,” Shadow Minister of National Security Walter Roban said, adding that “rhe Governor did not even commit to a public disclosure of... Read more of this article
Governor: Senior UK Officer To Conduct Review
“In line with best practice, the police response to the protests should be independently reviewed by a peer organization,” the Governor said today, adding that he is “making arrangements to have a senior UK police officer conduct such a review.” In a statment today, Governor John Rankin said, “As made clear in my statement... Read more of this article
PLP Renew Call For ‘Independent Investigation’
The PLP today renewed their call for a “comprehensive, public and independent investigation into the events of Friday, December 2nd 2016,” saying that when citizens “engaged in a peaceful protest are pepper sprayed by Police Officers, it is imperative that a thorough and transparent examination take place.” Speaking at a press... Read more of this article
Court: Man Denies Assaulting Police Officer
Appearing in Magistrates Court today [Dec 21], a 52-year-old man denied assaulting a police officer during the protest outside the House of Assembly on December 2nd. Edmund Smith was originally charged earlier this month, and the Court had ordered that he be evaluated to see if he was fit to stand trial. It was determined he was, so he re-appeared in... Read more of this article
BPA: ‘We Stand Firmly Behind Our Members’
Following the protest on December 2nd, there were comments made that “unjustifiably criticize the members of the BPA who were only performing their lawful duties,” the Bermuda Police Association said, adding that they “firmly believe that the use of force” was “justified, reasonable and necessary.” A BPA spokesperson... Read more of this article
Police Officer Suspended, Investigation Underway
A police officer has been suspended from duty and an investigation is underway following an allegation that she “breached the standards of professional behaviour when she left her assigned duties without permission, covered her police uniform and joined the protest at the House of Assembly,” the police confirmed today. A police spokesperson... Read more of this article
PLP: ‘Resolution Before Parliament Resumes’
The PLP reiterated their call for an inquiry into why riot police were sent in at the protest as well as their call for the Auditor General to review the proposed airport contract, and said these issues are of “national public interest and both reviews must take place with a full resolution before Parliament resumes in February.” In a statement... Read more of this article
Video: Premier Dunkley On Airport Bill & Protest
“Our goal in proposing a new airport wasn’t to divide us but bring us together in construction of a world class airport of which all Bermudians can be proud of,” Premier Michael Dunkley said today, adding that he recognizes that “tensions and emotions continue to be high,” and as a “responsible Government we must take... Read more of this article
House Sitting Adjourned Until February 2017
The House of Assembly will be adjourned until February 2017, and the Speaker of the House has requested a “full independent inquiry into the sequential events surrounding the recent protest.” The announcement from Government said, “The Speaker of the House, The Hon. K.H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP this morning issued the following statement,... Read more of this article
BTUC Calls On Premier To Withdraw The Bill
Saying that “history will record Friday, 2nd December, 2016, as a dark day in Bermuda,” the Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] called on the Premier “to withdraw the bill that has caused so much angst to the people of Bermuda.” In a statement, which was sent to the Governor and the Premier, the BTUC, which consists of multiple... Read more of this article
New Governor: ‘My Hope That Calm Will Prevail’
“It remains my hope that calm will prevail and that all parties concerned will take constructive steps to resolve current differences in a peaceful fashion in line with Bermuda’s democratic tradition,” newly appointed Governor John Rankin said today. Governor Rankin — who arrived on the island a few days ago — said, “I have... Read more of this article
CURB Dismayed & Shocked By Events On Friday
Saying they are “dismayed by the events that occurred on Friday” and “shocked that orders were given to deploy the riot police against non-violent, unarmed individuals,” CURB said the use of the ”riot squad, force, and pepper spray” has “taken this far beyond the airport project and escalated the tension in... Read more of this article
Canada’s Toronto Star Report On Protest
In a story headlined “Toronto construction company Aecon under fire in Bermuda,” the Toronto Star has reported on the protest on Friday, saying that “tempers flared” in the “normally peaceful tourist hot spot best known for its pink sand beaches.” The report said “A Toronto construction company is the focus of... Read more of this article
MP Roban & Minister Baron On Protest, Police
Shadow National Security Minister Walter Roban said that “clear answers have yet to be provided as to how and why some members of the BPS exacted unjustifiable physical force including the use of pepper spray and the threat of using tasers,” while National Security Minister Jeff Baron noted that the operational control of the police ”is... Read more of this article
Court: Man Charged With Assaulting Police
Appearing in Magistrates Court today, a 52-year-old man was charged in relation to allegedly assaulting the police during the protest on Friday. Edmund Smith was charged with assaulting a police officer and causing him bodily harm, and with possessing a wooden walking staff. When charged, Mr Smith asked Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo how do you respond... Read more of this article
