National

Protestors Swarm Parliament Square

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Police stand guard outside HOA crowd of demonstrators flooded Parliament Square protesting a number of issues.

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2022

Our News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The House of Assembly had a dramatic return from their summer break this morning when police had to stand guard outside the doors of the HOA after a crowd of demonstrators flooded Parliament Square protesting a number of issues.

Police had to call in SWAT for support as the House of Assembly resumed following the summer break.

Some in the crowd were protesting the proposed citizenship bill, others seemed generally dissatisfied with the government as they flanked the steps of the House of Assembly while occupants and officials peered from behind curtains inside.

We spoke to protesters to try to get clarification on what exactly they were protesting, with Pastor Faith Percentie telling us it’s not about who organized the protest.

Dave Horton, a healthcare worker, shared his views saying his issue is not the idea of foreigners working in The Bahamas.

However, protesters found out the bill in question wouldn’t be tabled today when Leader of the Opposition, Michael Pintard came over and spoke to the crowd briefly, to mixed reactions.

It was during a side interview with Pintard, that the protesters breached the barriers and began to flood the square.

Most protesters were peaceful, but there was a moment between police officers and a crowd member which led to the crowd being sent back across the street, and the barriers being restored.

The House of Assembly has been suspended until September 28th.