By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian community in Florida yesterday came out in support of the Bahamas amid criticism over the government’s handling of detainee abuse launched by a Miami-based Cuban exile group.

Businessman Andrew Ingraham said scores of Bahamians living and working in Florida condemned the attacks launched against the Christie administration by the Democracy Movement. While a hearing is now underway at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force base to get to the bottom of the allegations, Mr Ingraham said he was confident that justice would prevail.

He was speaking through a press statement on behalf of the Bahamian American Federation, the National Association of the Bahamas, Bahamas-US Chamber of Commerce and Concerned Bahamians Abroad.

Mr Ingraham said: “We have watched with dismay the unwarranted attacks by certain elements in the South Florida Community upon the Bahamas, its citizens and government over alleged abuses of detainees in a Bahamian Detention Centre. We ask these groups to cease and desist these attacks on the Bahamas and not rush to judgment.

“We are satisfied having reviewed all the facts that the government of the Bahamas has done all it could do in the circumstance and in conformity with local and international law to ensure that illegal migrants in detention are treated fairly and humanely.

“We think that it is important, as Bahamians living and working in Florida, to show those who have attacked the Bahamas that we support The Bahamas. We will continue to work for goodwill in Florida between all people as we continue to strengthen and grow our relationship between South Florida and the Bahamas.”

In that regard, Mr Ingraham reminded the elements in South Florida who have attacked the Bahamas that the city of Miami and the Bahamas have maintained close ties for years.

“Miami was formed and built on the labour of Bahamians long before other groups of migrants came to Miami. Bahamians continue to live and work in Miami and contribute to Miami and the greater South Florida community.

“Bahamians spend more than $1 billion in the Florida economy per year. It is not in the interests of the South Florida community to attack the Bahamas. It is bad for business and it attempts to destroy the long and prosperous mutual relationship that our communities have enjoyed. We need to work together to resolve our differences,” Mr Ingraham said.