By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Darron Cash is branding as “hollow” Prime Minister Perry Christie’s induction to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

Mr Christie’s footprints were added to the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site last Friday.

Despite the attention the award is likely to garner  for the country from the international community, Mr Cash claimed Bahamians know Mr Christie lacks legitimacy.

According to Mr Cash, to date, Mr Christie lacks a positive track record which he can boast about.

Mr Cash said: “Like every other Bahamian, I am always proud when a citizen or leader of our country receives an international award or recognition. I am therefore happy to congratulate Prime Minister Christie on his recognition and addition to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

“Regrettably, the value of this American civil rights recognition is significantly diminished here at home because so few Bahamians regard this Prime Minister as a man of courage in general or as someone who has laid everything on the line to promote or protect the rights of all Bahamians in particular.

“There are no footprints for others to walk in here at home. In fact, Prime Minster Christie has emerged as the Victimiser In Chief here in The Bahamas.”

Mr Cash said: “Since his return to the high office of Prime Minister in May 2012, Mr Christie has been the primary leader of his government’s strategic decision to double down on the bad old days of PLP victimisation and intimidation. His government’s shameless and systematic pattern of targeting and destroying political opponents and persons likely to interfere with their unrepentant determination to practise hard core political patronage - appointments, jobs, contracts, etc - undermines the Prime Minister’s claims of being a protector of civil rights.

“The bodies are adding up and are scattered across a broad range of government and quasi-government agencies, departments and institutions. That reality of real life in The Bahamas renders Mr Christie’s international recognition...hollow,” Mr Cash said.