Majority Rule Activities for GB Announced
By Robyn Adderley
Bahamas Information Services
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Activities for Majority Rule Day, observed Monday, January 12, were announced during a press conference at the Ministry for Grand Bahama on Wednesday.
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, during the press conference quoted former Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes as saying, “The movement to achieve Majority Rule in The Bahamas was about achieving freedom for all Bahamians.”
As the recognition and celebration of Majority Rule Day approaches, it is important that those who played a significant role during this period be recognized.
“In the next few days, as we pause to reflect on where we have come as a people, and to observe this important moment in our history, we must first and foremost give God thanks for his goodness and mercies; secondly, honour those on whose shoulders we stand today; and thirdly, make a commitment to unite as a people, irrespective of our differences.”
The Minister continued, “Ladies and gentlemen, in his final speech to The House of Parliament on July 7, 2007, the father of our nation stated that with the exception of Emancipation from Slavery, no pair of events in the history of our country will ever be accorded greater significance than the achievement of Majority Rule in 1967 and the attainment of National Independence in 1973; as these two milestones are the jewels in the crown of Bahamian history.”
Chairman of the planning committee for the event, Cecil Thompson, said the second annual Majority Rule Day Parade and Cultural Explosion will be held on Pioneer’s Way, downtown Freeport in the vicinity of the Junkanoo Bleachers starting at 11:00 a.m. Participating in the march, which will begin at the parking lot of the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King, will be students, the Bahamas Brass Band and other uniformed groups.
The pioneers and foot-soldiers who were at the forefront during the struggle for Majority Rule, will be honoured during the event. Being honoured are the following individuals: Ambassador Maurice Moore; Onward Jones, founding member of the Grand Bahama Taxi Union; Ernest Armbrister, Dennis ‘Preacher’ Hall, Reuben Bishop Roberts and Edward Roberts, all members of the Grand Bahama Taxi Union; Founding member of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, Stanley Simmons, along with other members, Oscar Thompson, Donald Dorsette, Jim White, Cochise Hanna and Anton Conley; Mrs. Eva Schaffner, first Bahamian to operate a business in Freeport and first female president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce; Rev. Michael Pinder, Pastor of Upper Zion Church; Rev. Freddie Laing Sr., Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church in Pelican Point; Mr. Leon Laing, former member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force; Mrs. Marguerite Williams along with Mrs. Rejoina Curtis, Mrs. Amanda Adderley, Mrs. Dora Bartlette, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Mabel Colton and Mrs. Doris Smith all of the Women’s Suffrage Movement; along with Mr. Granville Garvey, Mr. Hilton Bowleg, Mr. George Curtis, Mr. Churchill Tener Knowles, Mr. Bernard (Bernie) Davis and Rev. Dr. John Rolle, Pastor of Bethel Deliverance Centre.
