'We March Bahamas' activist to 'take a back seat'

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

COMMUNITY activist Ranard Henfield, lead organiser of the “We March Bahamas”, on Friday announced that he would "take a back seat" in the movement amid controversy over the ultimatum issued by the group to Prime Minister Perry Christie concerning a national strike.

The Our Carmichael founder told The Tribune that he felt too much focus was being placed on himself as the lead organiser, and named Executive Director of the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) Matt Albury; Policy Chairman for Citizen’s for a Better Bahamas (CBB) Lemarque Campbell; and local environmental activist, Sam Duncombe, as potential replacements.

The controversy centres around the group's latest letter to Mr Christie, wherein the group said it planned "to initiate further acts of peaceful civil disobedience on Friday, December 9" if the Prime Minister does not give a national address on steps taken to meet protest demands.

The letter was attached to an email sent to the media on Thursday. In that email, Mr Henfield thanked the media for protest coverage and summarised the contents of the letter.

He said: "We are prepared to initiate a national strike in one week should the PM not publicly address the nation on what he has done since Black Friday to advance these issues that affect the people of The Bahamas."

Mr Henfield clarified his email in an interview with The Tribune on Friday, insisting that he does not possess the power to "shut the country down". He pointed to "misunderstandings" in many of the recent assertions from himself and the group.

"My statement was made in the context that I would speak to persons with the power to do exactly that, I, Ranard Henfield, do not hold that level of power. We need the unions, they have to go through their channels.

"I want this to be clear," he said. "I can't shut this country down in that manner. It would take a wealth of effort by so many people for that to occur.

"I want people to be clear where this movement is at. Yes, a general strike is possible, but there is so much that needs to be done before that. All of that work that needs to be done, that is what I proposed to move with next week if demands weren't met."

Speaking directly to his decision to take a step back, he said: "This movement is bigger than me, bigger than myself, there are several persons that can step up and move us forward, but at this time there seems to be too much focus placed on me."

In a statement published via Facebook, Mr Henfield distanced the "We March" movement from strike plans and stated that he was taking a "back seat". While the post sought to make clear that a "general strike" was not in the works, it also noted that the initiation of such an act "at a date not too far in the future is very much a possibility".

The post read: "The organisers of We March wish to make it clear that there is no 'General Strike' being planned by the group for Friday, December 8th, 2016 nor any time before 9 January, 20017 when we plan to march again for 'United People Day' (although the initiating of the same at a date not too far in the future is very much a possibility)."

It continued: "As our letter states, there may be further acts of 'peaceful civil disobedience' before We March again should there be a clear and very evident effort to address the pressing and serious concerns of the people.

"At my core, as I've been doing with the Our Carmichael and Our Grand Bahama initiatives, I just want to voice the needs of the people in my communities and then galvanise the residents to be a part of the solution process while setting our differences and egos aside.

"This whole We March movement has become a boulder on my shoulders that I can't carry much longer up this hill. But I'm hoping that as long as I can carry it, that the people realise that we have a lot to fix in this country and we can only do so if we are united on this climb towards a better country for everyone regardless of our qualifications, family names, social status or political affiliations."

"I have had missteps along the way so far and at times I've let my passion and conviction to raise awareness and bring about change to get the better of me. One of the learning lessons so far is that as a community activist, I have to assume full responsibility for my utterances and be clear when I put anything out to the public."

The post continued: "So moving forward, I'm going to take a back seat and ask the organisations onboard to step up while I remove my passion from this flight for a better country."

Organisers issued a list of 23 non-partisan demands to the Prime Minister and several of his Cabinet ministers on November 9, and again on November 22. Mr Christie responded to organisers by letter on November 24, in which he invited leaders to meet with him at his office. However this offer was rejected.

Just over 1,000 protestors marched from Arawak Cay to Rawson Square on November 25, with more generous estimates putting the figure around 1,500.

Organisers have another march slated for the 50th anniversary Majority Rule Day on January 9, but have dubbed the day “United People Day”.

The letter sent to Mr Christie on Thursday outlined more than 30 demands.

In addition to calls for a resolution to more than a dozen union matters, other demands call for an immediate cease order and moratorium on all government dealings with China or any foreign interest with respect to natural resources; a public declaration from Mr Christie that he will not issue any further leases of seabed or Crown land for the remainder of his term, and a commitment to remove it from the portfolio and establish an apolitical body to administer the distribution of Crown land; the announcement of the 2017 general election and legislative amendments to establish a fixed date; to release the completed draft Freedom of Information Bill and table it if there are no objections from civil society; and the public disclosure of a number of audits and reports.

Comments

killemwitdakno says...

No strike before Jan 9th.

Where's the list of demands and the letter? Practice what you preach and show it.

Posted 2 December 2016, 8:50 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Posted 2 December 2016, 10:23 p.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

the december 9th is too soon. you need to gather momentum again.

the office christmas parties are about to start and no one is going to strike before they get the turkey coupons.

black friday was a brilliant date. so is january 9th.

plus, unlike the union leaders, no one is pay your bills, mr. henfield.

Posted 3 December 2016, 6:58 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

The PM should be given until January 4th (Parliament meets) to provide tangible proof that he is committed to change through legislation, terminations etc.(and not the fantasy NDP) ....... If he refuses or waffles, then We March Bahamas will have the right to call for an "Occupy Bay Street" on Majority Rule Day (January 10th) and do so until Perry and his PLP Cabinet resigns

Posted 3 December 2016, 10:31 a.m. Suggest removal

MajorTom says...

I would suggest to Mr. Henfield, that his passion not be removed from this movement.
This is a time for passion, and a misstep here or there is bound to occur, and can be forgiven.
To have Sam Duncombe, Lemarque Campbell, and ORG by one’s side is to have a rich group of advisors and compatriots to call upon, but Mr. Henfield is the face of We March Bahamas, and a very welcome one at that.
So take a breath Mr. Henfield, and continue.
“The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

Posted 3 December 2016, 1:48 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Sisyphus seems to be multiplying by the thousands in Nassau and Freeport

Posted 3 December 2016, 4:22 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrades! The Activist's attempt as the leader Street Politics time in the spotlight were telling and short-lived.
It is not difficult to make sense of why contentious politics don't work for making our governing system better for the people. This Black Friday Protest was the social experiment lesson that could never march beyond Bay Street that never stuck around long enough to turn into a people's Revolution.
The one provable is the Streets may not be the answer for anything more than to kick-start just another fringe AHRANGE Political Party.

Posted 4 December 2016, 11:46 a.m. Suggest removal

Cas0072 says...

Polite politics has not worked either, so why gloat and condemn this movement so quickly? I believe a march is still planned for January 9th, or have you heard otherwise? It is true that the movement was being made about Mr. Henfield, so it might actually be a genuine attempt to put the focus where it needs to be.

Posted 5 December 2016, 9:57 a.m. Suggest removal

Alex_Charles says...

Mr. Henfield has the same problem that many who are thrust into public life suffer from. You cannot respond to every piece of criticism that is throw at you by the political elite and their operatives. Not even just them, but those who simply disagree with you.

The best thing to ignore them entirely and all of your responses should be vetted. Everything you say carries weight now, and the more you speak loosely or out of frustration against the powers that be, the more ammunition they have to paint you as irrational. Ignore them and keep pushing.

Posted 5 December 2016, 8:39 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade Henfield was the one that was too hungry to grab the spotlight. Certainly there was no one to blame but himself for the personal wreckage that followed but 8 days from the Black Friday Protest. Henfield's one accomplishment was in making Minnis, Bran and those PLP Cabinet Ministers who showed-up for his Black Friday March, to looks like a bunch of politicians running scared from the people.
Truth is Henfield just may have mentally kick-started the Comrade PM into believing not only can he can still be a sure winner come the 2017 General......but he needs to reshuffle some out their cabinet and chairmanship's posts.

Posted 5 December 2016, 10:19 a.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Henfield just need to keep his eyes forward. . .did he expected to "get hugged and kissed" by the people whom you are exposing as "lil jokes" and don't have the power as many thought they did! This morning MR. Miller said a bunch of "low" things about Mr. Henfield in the guardian and it was like Mr. Miller was describing himself to us. Mr. Miller said that Mr. Henfield "should know his place". I live in Miller's constituency. . .and for that statement made about Mr. Henfiled, Mr. Miller will not be allowed into my yard. . .I will not even take a turkey from him (he gives them out each Christmas) . . .he is dead as a politician to me in that area. . .as a man I still will respect him. . .but never again as a candidate for Tall Pines!! I have never heard such stupid, elitist and entitled words from any politicians. . .not even MP Mitchell. I now officially hate Mr. Miller as a candidate for the people's house after he told one of the people "find his place"! His place is where Mr. Miller sits his dumb tail down every time he goes into the house! You let the PM and his dumb followers like Miller ignore the demands of the people. . .THE MARCH IS JUST THE START. . .WE WILL COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL THEY ARE GONE FOREVER. . .

Posted 5 December 2016, 1:09 p.m. Suggest removal

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