Scores of Bermudian men and women, many who were seniors, being pepper-sprayed, beaten and choked by the police. Photo: Provided

Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided

Responsibility for the violence against Bermudians on December 2, 2016, and the added subsequent expenses, lies squarely on the Michael H. Dunkley led OBA, who insisted that this deal must happen, says member of parliament, Mr Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided

Deep in their souls, they shudder at the memories of December 2, 2016. Scores of Bermudian men and women, many who were seniors, being pepper-sprayed, beaten and choked by the police.

Those sounds and images of that fateful day, rewind in their hearts and minds on a continuous basis.

So, why did this take place?

Simply put, the then One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) government wanted to gain access to the House of Assembly, in order to pass legislation in regards to handing over our only Airport to Aecon for Thirty years.

This, despite 75 per cent of Bermudians, of all ages and races, being against the airport deal.

Former Premier Michael H. Dunkley had this to say during a recent interview on Bermuda Broadcasting Company news.

“We had a right to go into the House of Assembly to do what we had to do.”

The truths of December 2, 2016, are also in the findings of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee, which the very same former Premier Dunkley, initially hired a lawyer to avoid having to appear in front of.

Monument to violence

Every time that Bermudians drive across or to that new Air terminal, we have to think of those senior women crying holding their burning pepper-sprayed faces.

We then have to ask ourselves, was it really worth it?

In 2016 we were warned, by numerous persons, that with airport revenue now going to AECON, our consolidated fund would be short by at least 27 million dollars per year.

“With this Airport scheme’s proposed giveaway of $27m a year, the Government is now planning to give away Revenue of about $74,000 every day – for the next thirty years.”- Larry Burchall, December 1, 2016

So, 27 million dollars gone from Bermudians, that should have gone towards maintaining our schools or paying down our debt.

Again the question remains: Was it really worth it?

Into the frying pan

It gets even worse.

“The concealed and unstated fact is that the Bermuda Government will have to reach into its ‘reduced revenue’ pot [reduced by the $27m revenue] and payout additional Government money [revenue] to give to AECON so that the Canadians always walk away with at least their guaranteed ‘base case’ profit/revenue.”

- Larry Burchall

While we are suffering economically due to COVID-19, we are being forced to pay even more money.

Over 5 million dollars in July of 2020. Then a few months later, over 15 million dollars in October.

So, approximately 21 million dollars paid out to AECON that could have gone to those who are now unemployed, due to COVID-19.

Without a doubt, this is not the last that we have heard from AECON on this matter.

Responsibility for the violence against Bermudians on December 2, 2016, and the added subsequent expenses, lies squarely on the Michael H. Dunkley led OBA, who insisted that this deal must happen.

They were the ones who refused to reveal the full contract prior to signing off in April of 2017.

Their financial ineptitude, coupled with disregard of the people's demands for transparency, has allowed AECON the ability to now demand 21 million dollars, during an economic crisis.

Recently, during a Bernews interview on November 16, 2020, the latest Opposition Leader, Cole Simons stated the following:

“The OBA is the only team with experience in financial matters.”

Every single Bermudian taxpayer must now ask themselves this singular question: After the financial debacles of Cross Island and this airport deal, can the OBA really speak with any authority on finances?

Every time we drive across or to that airport terminal we need to remember these two things:

• Bermudian blood was shed over that airport deal on December 2, 2016
•  Bermudians taxpayers are now forced to pay tens of millions of dollars in extra money for this airport deal

All due to the actions of the Michael H. Dunkley led One Bermuda Alliance.

“Today they say that we are free

Only to be chained in poverty”

- Bob Marley