“Galanis tells marchers: Priority goes to Majority Rule celebration” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “Former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP Philip Galanis yesterday warned organizers of We March Bahamas not to ‘kid themselves’ in attempting to align or equate their campaign narrative to the country’s achievement of Majority Rule.

Taking a stance on the drama unfolding around the historic holiday, Mr. Galanis added that it was senseless to ‘cloud or confuse’ the significance of Majority Rule Day with the group’s protest on national issues.

He declared that January 10, 1967, was second only to emancipation and slavery in 1834 and the attainment if Independence in 1973, all of which are sacrosanct.”

It is simply amazing the manner in which Mr. Galanis can take such a jaundiced view to Majority Rule Day, as it pertains to the group We March Bahamas planning a march on that day to raise awareness of issues of national importance especially in light of the fact that Majority Rule Day was born out of an act of civil disobedience by the late Sir. Lynden Pindling to raise awareness to certain injustices that were going on under the United Bahamian Party (UBP) at the time.

Let us go back and fill in the blanks; “The event that is believed to be the most significant in the struggle for majority rule occurred on April 27^th, 1965, now known as Black Tuesday.  Sir Lynden, Leader of the Opposition, during a heated debate over the issues of boundaries but in a carefully orchestrated move, threw the Mace, the Speakers’ symbol of authority, out of the window of the House of Assembly.  The act led to the defection of three MP’s from the PLP who formed the National Democratic Party (NDP), led by Paul L. Adderley, Orville Turnquest and Spurgen Bethel.  However the PLP emerged stronger as the party’s popular support increased headed into the general elections on January 10, 1967.  Both the PLP and the UBP won 18 seats and the remaining two seats went to Randol Fawkes of the Labour Party and Alvin Braynen, a while Independent.

Sir Randol and Sir Alvin threw their support behind the PLP and Sir Lynden was asked to form a government by British governor Sir Ralph Grey, thus ushering in majority rule.  Sir Randol was made Minister of Labour and Welfare in the first PLP cabinet and Sir Alvin became Speaker of the House of Assembly.”

Excerpt from “The Struggle to Majority Rule” – myplp.org

It is a fact that the upcoming Majority Rule Day will mark the 50^th anniversary of that day and it should be celebrated but it is my contention that due to the fact that this being the third year that Majority Rule Day has been an official holiday it is odd that this is the very first time the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government to whom this day is so ‘sacrosanct’ have only chosen now to show the day any significance; not even marking the very first Majority Rule Day with any celebration at all.

Do not kid yourselves but I see this as being nothing more than a petty political move by a hapless, inept and incompetent government to silence the voice of the people and while Mr. Galanis would speak to the ‘campaign narrative’ of We March Bahamas; of which there is none, it is really sad that him and his government has found themselves lacking for what is being asked of them by this organization and the country at large – accountability and transparency; two principle with which they seem to fight ‘tooth and nail’ against.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END