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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Photo left: Freedom Call – FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis supporting Freedom of Information legislation at a rally in Rawson Square that drew representatives from some 20 organizations representing more than 60,000 members. A block party reinforcing the need for transparency in government is set for Charlotte Street South this Friday, December 5 starting at 5 pm. The event featuring live entertainment is free and open to the public. The Bahamas remains one of a very few countries whose citizens have no rights to information about the government’s business and the call for legislation guaranteeing the public’s right to know is gaining voices from all quarters; Photo right: On This We Agree – DNA Leader Bran McCartney calls for Freedom of Information legislation during a rally in Rawson Square in March, the kick-off to a campaign that has steadily gained momentum urging The Bahamas to join the vast majority of the world’s nations that ensure the public possesses the right to know the public’s business. The DNA and FNM both called for transparency during the rally. A Freedom of Information block party with Kirkland ‘KB’ Bodie and the Rhythm Band headlining the entertainment is set for Friday on Charlotte Street South. The event, organized by Save The Bays, is free and open to the public. Co-sponsors include Van Breugel’s, Bristol Wines & Spirits, John Watling’s Distillery and Sands.
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Nassau, Bahamas - Hundreds are expected to fill Charlotte Street South Friday evening for a block party with stage, live entertainment, food, beverage, and roving microphone all aimed at building a growing groundswell of momentum demanding Freedom of Information.
“You always hear about a cause for celebration, this is a celebration for a cause,” said Lindsey McCoy, CEO of Save The Bays, which is organizing the Freedom of Information street party set for 5-8 pm.
Numerous organizations are joining the march toward what has been called the basic tenet of any democracy – the public’s right to information, also known as transparency in government.
“We had a hugely successful turnout in March with union leaders, civic groups, clergy, celebrities and politicians who joined the growing cry for something that is a basic tenet of any democracy, a Freedom of Information Act, (FOIA)” said McCoy. “We expect an even larger crowd Friday night when we send a loud and clear message – it’s time to end secret deals and create legislation that guarantees citizens’ rights to information, including planned developments, that impact their lives.”
Headlining the December 5 block party will be KB and the Rhythm Band featuring The Bahamas’ top-selling musical artist Kirkland ‘KB’ Bodie. Other entertainers are expected to take the stage at the event hosted by Van Breugel’s Restaurant & Bistro and co sponsored by Sands, Bristol Wines and Spirits and John Watling’s Distillery. The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation has also been a strong supporter of the FOIA legislation that recommended as a part of a successful implementation of VAT.
“The momentum demanding passage of a Freedom of Information Act is gaining strength every week with more individuals and groups signing petitions, talking about transparency and urging legislation that will prevent all governments – not just this government, but all governments -- from engaging in secret deals in which the very public being affected do not even have the right to participate in decision-making that will impact their lives,” said Joseph Darville, who normally wears two environmental hats -- Education Director for Save The Bays and Bahamas Waterkeeper – and will add a third on Friday as emcee of the block party. “The public has a right to know and to participate in the public’s business.”
The urgency by more than a dozen diverse groups calling for enactment of Freedom of Information was fed by a number of recent factors. Shortly before it left office in 2012, the former governing party tabled a Freedom of Information bill. That was killed by the current government which promised to fix what it called a weak piece of legislation with flawed provisions and lacking in regulations, but no bill has yet been substituted. In the meantime, numerous developments were approved, including a massive cruise ship dock and hotel plan that would deliver up to half a million people to Bimini, an island that now entertains about 50,000 visitors a year, potentially doing extensive damage to its world-famous reefs, with residents reeling from what they said was lack of consultation, and no response to letters they wrote seeking information.
In the 18 months since its founding, Save The Bays has become the outspoken voice calling for environmental protection, citizens’ right to know and an end to oil pollution and unregulated development. Still in its infancy, its following has set records for a non-governmental organization with more than 17,000 Facebook Likes and nearly 7,000 signatures on a petition to the government.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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