We March -- Bahamas

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. This right applies to protest marches and demonstrations, press conferences, public and private meetings, counter-demonstrations, ‘sit-ins,’ motionless protests, etc. On Black Friday, November 25th, 2016 Community Activist Ranard Eric Henfield, led thousands of Bahamians to Parliament Square, Nassau, Bahamas; in a peaceful yet powerful protest. I got a chance to speak with the Community Activist.

Elle Clarke: I love all that you are doing and the way you can get people mobilized to affect change, but what was the purpose of the march on Black Friday and would you say that the march was a success?

Ranard E Henfield: My team is full of people who ‘will not sit small’ and are influential leaders. So, we lead in the most efficient way we know and how we can make the best impact. #WeMarch in November was a resounding success. What we did has changed the trajectory of governance as it has been. We will continue to march until we feel that we are all on the right path for a better nation.

A summary of what I’ve gathered from several thousand Bahamians includes that we are prepared to march as often as we need to do so we can put an end to this system of governance that has been abusing:

- our families

- the public purse

- our businesses

- our culture

- our economy

- our natural resources

- our hard earned income

And ALL OF US in different ways!

We all have something to contribute to the development of a better Bahamas for all Bahamians and those who live here.

The majority of us are fed up with politicians and parties that have been maintaining the status quo of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. We are tired of political corruption and closed door deals. While we have been fed up for decades, we have let ourselves down by voting in the same people that we want to rid ourselves and this country of - career politicians - and get to work with agents of change on these five pillars of progress for the entire Bahamas:

1. The Economy [Empowerment of all people, lowering the cost of living influencers, increasing the ease of doing business, introducing new sources of government revenue that won’t operate as a tax on the people, repealing VAT and possibly introducing sales tax].

2. Political Reform [passing laws for accountability and transparency that can be enforced by an independent prosecution department, enforcing freedom of information from government ministries and quasi-government bodies to the general public, crown land reform which would take it from the Prime Minister and place it (Bahamian land) in the hands of an independent body that can distribute it to Bahamians while offering profitable environmentally-zoned leases to foreign investors rather than selling it to them), introducing true local government in which representatives are elected by the residents and allowing for the funding to come from taxes, fees and fines collected in the respective communities/islands. Introducing term limits for MP’s and the PM.

3. Social Elements [includes community development via initiatives like Our Carmichael and One Eleuthera, enforcing Fundamental Human Rights, Improving Education and providing free University attendance for all Bahamians, adequately funding and promoting our Arts and Culture. Introducing affordable health care for all Bahamians].

4. Protecting our Environment, Animal Life & our Natural Resources - so as to strike a balance between economic opportunities and safeguarding our air, water, fisheries, agriculture and natural resources.

5. Labor Matters and Rights of Bahamian Workers - standing up to government and big businesses to ensure that workers (our families) are not abused, denied their dues and victimized.

Elle Clarke: I have been following you on social media for a while and noticed that you refuse to run for office. If you are not interested in leading a political party, why are you lobbying for change?

Ranard E Henfield: The people in power have a lot to learn about the power of the people. Of the power of the #WeMarch people. We are here to stay. We are stakeholders, laying claim to our nation. 2017 will be HISTORIC! This is what I believe and to be nonpartisan is the way I feel I need to be, to further my passion.

Elle Clarke: So, what’s next for this movement?

Ranard E. Henfield: There’s a song titled, ‘something inside so strong,’ by Labi Siffre. No matter what this administration does, we as the Bahamian people must remember that we are now UNITED and COMMITTED to uprooting the status quo and bringing about a better Bahamas for all Bahamians. There’s a part of the song in which Labi says, “the higher you build your barriers, the taller I become... The farther you take my rights away, the faster I will run. You can deny me; you can decide to turn your face away (but) there’s something inside so strong”. The Bahamian people want to see changes, and now more than ever, we are brave and impassioned. We will march whenever the holiday is and won’t be ignored. This time, there will be thousands more of us and we will march with the People’s Platform in hand and will present the way forward for a united and prosperous country in which we won’t be treated this way by another administration - ever again.

Now is not the time to sit quietly. Over the next few weeks and months, we must rise up with the courage each day to rid ourselves of anyone that represents the status quo. Fair is fair. It’s time to fix OUR BAHAMAS so that we can enjoy better days in a country as rich and beautiful as this.

I dare all who can, to stand up for what is right!

“Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so.” ― David Brooks

The next march is scheduled for January 10th 2017, which is a Public Holiday in the Bahamas, Majority Rule Day. Majority Rule Day, commemorates The Bahamas gaining majority rule for the first time on January 10, 1967, symbolizing the promise of equality, a level playing field, and fair play for all Bahamians. Did they somehow lose their way? On January 10th 2017, the people will take to the streets again for equality, a level playing field and fair play for all Bahamians.

WE MARCH!

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