| Hundreds march for unity | | Print | |
| Thursday, 11 March 2010 23:28 | |||
 Hundreds of Turks and Caicos Islanders put politics aside and came together Monday to march in unity against the interim government imposed by the United Kingdom. Speakers from both leading political parties called on Turks and Caicos Islanders to demand that the British immediately return the government to local elected officials. They also condemned the suggestions that Belongers won’t have a say in constitutional and electoral reforms, and that residents other than Belongers will be allowed to vote.As the march proceeded down Leeward Highway toward the courthouse, more and more individuals, families and friends gathered in the effort to stand united. “United, yes we can,” was the message being called out by organizers and leaders, asking every Turks and Caicos Islander to join in their mission to “take our country back.” Although the march was spurred by political leaders, the sentiment was far from political, but rather one of togetherness. Upon arriving at the steps of the courthouse, leaders from both political parties stood side by side and signed a declaration, one they said they would FedEx to the queen demanding the return of a democratically elected government to the people of the TCI as quickly as reasonably possible. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the governor have said they expect a return self rule in July 2011. The declaration was symbolically attached to the door of the courthouse and later petitions were available for signing by all those in attendance. “Sign the petitions here today, write letters make phone calls, demand your right to choose, speak up, speak out to the return of immediate democracy,” PNP leader and former premier Galmo Williams asked of those in attendance. The intention of the march, as described by several speakers including party leaders, was to show the British government authorities responsible for the country that the people have concerns and they expect their concerns to be heard. “This cannot be a one-sided relationship,” said former chief minister and PDM member Derek Taylor. He said the process must be a dialog that includes the wishes of the people of the TCI and “as we move forward, we must be assured we do not let our rights be trampled on.” “We have marched and congregate here to display our solidarity and demand our God given right in the affairs and running of our land,” Williams said. “We must reject non-Turks and Caicos Islanders carrying out the constitutional review.” “As a people, we must be allowed to guide the creation or modification of our own constitution and our election process,” PDM leader Doug Parnell agreed. In his final Commission of Inquiry report last summer, Sir Robin Auld suggested the constitution be amended to include such matters as citizenship, the election process and crown land policy. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently named Kate Sullivan, an Australian who once headed the U.K.’s Electoral Commission, to lead a small technical team of non-Belongers to research and implement changes to the constitution, including the electoral process. “(Sullivan) will engage in extensive consultations with individuals and organisations representative of the inhabitants of the TCI,” His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell has said. “Belonger stakeholder groups and individuals will have the opportunity to be involved in the process at every stage, and there will be debate in the Consultative Forum.” However, Parnell declared to the crowd, “No constitution will be acceptable unless it faces the test of a referendum.” Both party leaders believe that all changes suggested by the interim government should be put to a referendum. Another concern is the suggestion in Sir Robin’s report to give voting rights to non-Belonger, long-term residents or work permit holders in the country. “We are not a conquered people,” Parnell said. “We are the heirs of those who went before us in this our native land … as the heirs we also have the right to decide if we want to provide a process for awarding citizenship and the right to vote.” PNP party Chairman Don-Hue Gardiner said he believes the British wish to “marginalize” the people of his country “by making them a minority voice in their own land by giving every Tom, Dick and Harry the vote.” Leaders said they expect the march to show the governor and his authorities in England that they expect to be included in any processes to change their country. Whatever the outcome, Unity Day, as it was called by the leaders who inspired the march, will be known as a day when Turks and Caicos Islanders put aside their political differences and came together to show solidarity to one another. “I hope that we have displayed today that we place God above ourselves or our political interests,” Parnell said. Read Don-Hue Gardiner's remarks Read Sharlene Cartwright Robinson's remarks
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