Bishop Cline organises protest against UK direct rule
Following news that the Commission of Inquiry recommended that the United Kingdom (through the governor) assume direct rule over the territory for at least two years, prominent local clergyman Bishop John Cline organised a protest against any such action.
The protest is scheduled for 8 am on Monday, May 2 at Government House where Governor John Rankin resides.
In an online broadcast Saturday night, Bishop Cline called on residents to join the protest.
“We as Virgin Islanders come to say to the United Kingdom that you should not suspend our constitution in an attempt to establish direct rule over us,” Bishop Cline stated.
“I have to speak for the good people of this nation. I have to speak for the honest Virgin Islander … I have to speak up for the incorruptible Virgin Islander, for there many of them here still and I am one of them,” the Bishop said on Saturday; just two days after the world was stunned by news that Premier Andrew Fahie and BVI Ports Authority boss Oleanvine Maynard were arrested in the United States on drug and money laundering charges.
UK accused of organising media campaign against BVI
The bishop went on to accuse the UK or organising a global media campaign to “show the dark side of the BVI”. But he said residents are not daunted because they know they are “a better people than that”.
“We will not allow the UK to let the bad behaviour of the minority represent the moral standing of the majority. I personally have met with the governor and we have submitted a white paper to him in anticipation of these very outcomes and provide possible solutions for them,” Bishop Cline stated.
“We indicated that we have people willing and able in this country with the ability to lead, should it be necessary … To insist that the UK must rule over us is to say that you believe that there are not 13 capable, honest, morally sound persons in this country to provide quality leadership and to run this country. I say that there are 13 and more,” added Bishop Cline who managed to rally hundreds — perhaps thousands — of residents to march against the UK back in 2018.
Gov’t backs protest
Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and his government have shared similar sentiments to that of the bishop. And while noting the upcoming protest, Dr Wheatley said in a separate broadcast last night that residents have the right to freedom of assembly and demonstration.
But not all residents support the bishop’s position or his protest. One such person is, outspoken public servant, Kishma Penn.
“I am not marching,” Penn emphatically said in a live Facebook broadcast on Sunday. “I would advise anybody; don’t waste your time to go in the march.”
“This kind of blind obedience that we giving the government, that is what put us here in the first place. That blind obedience,” Penn further said.
Don’t march!
She continued: “For the people contemplating going to the march, let me tell y’all the number-one reason why all you should not go to this march. Andrew Fahie was arrested on Thursday … That is three days [ago] and up to now not one member of the Virgin Islands Party has stepped forward to say. ‘we renounce the [alleged] actions of the leader of our party, he is no longer a member of our party, we do not support his actions, we are not affiliated with this fellow’.”
“The time to march has come and gone,” Penn argued.
The allegations against Premier Fahie are yet to be tried and proven before the US courts.
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He knows why he want to march. People don’t be fool.This man was allegedly benefitting from the government. House of assembly held in save the seed.uk come quick.
Why Thumbs Up not working on this comment. What is going on at BVI news, controlling what the people think???
Shame on you. Repent. Ye shall be burdened with your guilt for a generation to come as shall all of ye who worshipped the Fohie and his drug dealing and vodou.
Someone talk some sense into 6th District Rep to stop rambling on social media.
It’s not a good look.
Someone posted that many sat by and did not march against corruption and the Rep’s response was so you want us to sit back and do nothing with regards to matching against UK ruling.
Didn’t the Rep jump out the frying pan into the fire leaving one party for the current Government…Government needs to be dissolved immediately.
Can’t talk sense to a f○○l
You mean our useless elected representatives might have to WORK? Hope the constitutional review removes their pension entitlement. We get nada, they get nada!
The people for Foy and against the COI should protest and march. This way the Governor will know who it is that he and the police will need to deal with. They are also the ones that will certainly need to benefit. Most will be the fisherfolk and farmers. They along with every politician and most department leaders have the most to lose.
If you get 80 idiots you will be lucky
The British have laws against blood sucking religious con men
No wonder he doesn’t want a take over.
Me and my family not in this nonsense. Go take your church people and march.
I am marching not for anyone but my country and children
LOL all their green flags didn’t work….juju weak. Wonder if Tanty Pats gonna bring out her dolly and coffin
This man is an id10t. He marching for nothing other to save his skin.
AND THOSE BEHIND HIM SHOUTING AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS AIN REALIZE WA HAPPENING AND WA THEY REALLY FIGHTING FOR.
UK and EU plan to investigate banking. Expect shutdowns of some local banks
Pull your money now and get it in safer banks or the mattress
Just saying.
And this is a perfect example of why religion should never be part of politics
All a you knew he was doing crap but continued to get all you hand grease turn a blind eye now say we must march. All you pay check stop no more go march are you have are 2 foot when kishma and cindy saw what was going on and call march all are you stop home go on face book to find out what going on and laugh at them now who laughing.
LOL look trouble. Them vex they can’t keep putting their hands in the cookie jar. MARCH for whatttt?? Where was the marching when man,woman and child was getting gunned down or when our children had no proper schools??? This alien head call himself bishop, but just as wicked as the politicians
All who promoting this prisoner on the hill gangsta music including *84 Media interviewing them just as criminal as these so-called rappers flaunting guns and rapping killing in their videos when Fahie said in the Affidavit he has a friend who import drugs and ammunition.
Then want to talk about fighting against crime.
Playing keyboard in the church on Sunday promoting fam gangsta video everyday.
People keep blaspheming God’s name. They don’t fear God’s wrath.
Then when someone pass away, they playing that played out song There’s a Place Up There for People Like You. For who?????? Drug pushers, murderers? Get Real and Stop Take God for fool.
How come Thumbs Up is broken for this comment?????????????????????????????????????????????????
People please do not follow Clyne, please let the law prevail. Drugs, money laundering, and Hezbollah terrorist is a dangerous gamble. Please stay home.
Let Clyne alone as a church minister go walk alone and believe God likes his action, Wi**ed minded man of the De**l.
The white man feed u cookies….house slave fools
Protest is a Waste of time! The Queen own this island and she will do what she wants!
The Queen owned America too. The list of places that the Queen owned is quite lengthy. Ayo need to stop acting like these people blood ain’t red too.
But Americans had guns to fight the British. You dont
The Queen owned America? Really?
This is why the UK needs to run this place.
We are surrounded by idiots.
You really are a stupid S.O.B. BVI News clearly stated that a name is required and you could have chose any of the almost 200,000 words in the English language and you chose to call yourself “Moron.” Your mother must be proud. At least her child can write.
Such a senseless comment, i agree the UK really need to run this place. The cow born here so it have right to walk the road and disturb traffic. That reminds me of you.
@Anonymous, you are not a truthful person. America did not get independence from the UK there was a civil war. Just like France and Haiti. BVI is not independent. So this island belong to the Uk. your ancestors was brought here by the UK on their island. you cannot claim ownership. what you can do is ask to be return to Africa, that make more sense. Or you can do as the others and apply for independence and it will be considered.
People also so hv the BVI so.
He could not organize against the bad governing for 20+ years but now fly to hold protest in light of everything that has transpired??? Boy haul your 5G causes covid behind go sit down……
The fact that Sowande was appointed into acting by the same man that is now sitting in a US jail cell should automatically disqualify him from such an appointment because visually that alone stinks. Also this is not a d86n basketball game!!! You cannot be pulling players off the bench that have not even been voted in by the people. That is a direct circumvention of the Democratic process “THAT IS EXACTLY WHY THE COUNTRY IN THIS SITUATION AND HAD A COI!!!!!!!
All this march will do is make those who take part in it look too stupid to understand how they are being deprived of a future.
Quite apart from the recent Fahie and Maynard arrests in the US, the CoI laid bare a government that has been corrupt, devious, discriminatory and incompetent for years.
Then we get the arrests with the apparent admissions of helping with drug and gun running; this when we are still mourning the little girl murdered with her mom shot, and the lady alleged to have been murdered by her employee. How did those AK 47s get into the Territory? Who helped cover it up? We need to know.
We have the Caribbean expats in the BVI treated like dirt, and exploited at every turn.
Britain needs to take over; investigate, try those public servants and others who have been corrupt, then allow the BVI to try again to run itself without turning itself into a criminal enterprise.
What has the BVI to show in education or infrastructure for the billions of dollars generated for the Government since 1990? Nothing is what. We had such possibilities and they have been thrown away by a greedy, useless few.
And remember the same victims you mentioned were shot in DISTRICT ONE, so I will keep saying,…cause how can something so heinous happen at your front door and you didn’t know. But,trust and believe when innocent blood is shed, God can’t ignore the tears and cry for justice.
When you was eating big a small man was eating small
From my heart, I am speaking to my fellow Virgin Islanders; PLEASE DO NOT JOIN THIS MARCH. The march that John Clyne should have organized was when the VIP government continuosly violated their oath of office to govern fairly, transparently, ethically which translated to overall good governance. We need a reingineering of government. How else are we going to do this if we don’t wipe the slate clean? The Virgin Islands have lost all credibility and respect throughout the world. We have become to be known as a corrupt tax haven for money launderers and criminal enterprises. Can we continue on this path and gain our respect back? I think not. Maybe dismantling Cabinet, suspending the Constitution, UK direct rule for 2 years sound harsh, but to get from under this dark cloud we have to do what must be done. The VIP government appointed family and friends on every committee. After hurricanes Irma and Maria the UK offered war ships for free to secure our borders. The Premier flatly refused and hired a badge at $300,000. He is avoiding the tender process and giving huge contracts to his croonies. He now sits in a US jail on suspicion of drug dealing and money laundering charges. We have to do what ever is necessary to clean up our government so that we can once again be a trusted and respectable jurisdiction. If it is UK direct rule so be it. John Clyne and who ever else have a problem with the recommendation have their own selfish reason.
More truth. Thanks.
@ 0%
To the dislikes of this comment you all are benefitting from the corruption. Everything said in that comment is true.
I am a proud BVIslander, honest and with integrity and I agree with you 1000%.
you will be at 8am tomorrow in Road Town! Enjoy your solo protest march.
So he wants poor people who’s getting taken advantage of protest against something that would benefit them in order for people like him pockets stay f**. Only those few want things to remain the same like his cousin CSC who gone quite now got nearly 1 million for absolutely nothing did you remember how he was kicking up before the premier was arrested
We will find out how much he allegedly already received from Fahie treasury…Hope they don’t destroy the documents. Britain will want to know about that and lot more..
Yesterday the Governor rest his case,he said nothing will be done until the lady from the UK gets hear. John Cline you should be ashamed of yourself, but I think we all know why you don’t want UK take over you cant stop it.
We should not support cr**inals both parties need to go.
He’s another one. Cr**ked. But the lost sheep follow him blindly. He needs to have several seats. I agree with everything Kishma has said so far. She’s on point. Too bad she’s not interested in politics.
We should not support criminals both parties need to go.
I agree with Kisha, I will not be marching anywhere at anytime. The time has come for all this nastiness to be dealt with, and the time is now. In light of the actions of Andrew and Co., we have vastly exceeded the corruption level observed in the Cayman Islands.
We are the ONLY British Overseas Territory with BRITISH in our name. Our Parent nation on several occasions have tried and failed to take us under full helm because of the bark of a number of people here. Much like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum and like a tail wagging the dog. You think something of this magnitude should not be addressed?! This is bigger than the UK disciplining us, this is us trying to regain the trust and confidences of the US. Actions have fractured our relationship…let’s face it, we made it on the world map but notorious reasons. Using colonialism, racism and the like as an excuse against UK direct rule will not work here. Corruption worked here for too long; they people in it have gotten so lax with it that they no longer hide it. That we were seeing it and turning a blind to it, desensitizing ourselves the going ons as it being, “Just another day in the BVI; the sweetest place.”
It’s so bad in this place, when we do not realize that for most people who do wrong doings get off without facing the consequences of their actions. That is, they always was running to someone to fix the problem or make it go away. Things got swept under the rug or you never heard the outcome of something major. Who else could have made it possible but the politicians? Look at what Andrew said, he protected a lot of people…make you wonder who he was talking about? Well let’s see who is going to make those charges against him and the others go away, or even protect them. No one…ABSOLUTELY NO ONE! Not facing the consequences for our bad actions have made us (many people), repeatedly a menace to our own society and country. This has ultimately costed us It’s, but it has exposed and will exposed all who have been benefitting from these actions. It’s time for accountability, transparency…good governance.
I wonder, if you the remaining party members and members of the opposition have rationalized that if you refuse direct rule that the UK can resove to remove themselves completely not from just stink, stain, s@#% storm that is on us and leave us on our own? Our BRITISH Virgin Islands consisting of thirty- something Islands, rocks and cays cannot sustain itself independently of the UK; taken aside those who have things to hide and will be revealed from the imposition of the UK, the rest of us need healing and resolve from this whole debacle. This we all know will take some time.
If the UK puts that on the table as their choice, NEITHER ONE OF YOU will speak for us…that is when we (the people) will have our votes casted. I support a “neutral” representation of our nation and the only person I see fit for the job is The Governor.
Oh and welcome to the regional and international press…some of which have already made it here. I hope you find that our Islands are still filled with hard working, good-natured people who want the best for their country. Thank you!
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61280587
Truth speakers at last.
The British Indian Ocean Territory
has British in its name too.
Thirteen is way too many Legislators for our country of 30,000. It is costing us way too much money to pay their salaries, expenses AND PENSIONS of all of them.
Let’s look at reducing the number.
– We marching
– We not marching
– We want direct rule
– We don’t want direct rule
– We will suspend the constitution for 2yrs
– We want partnership
– We don’t want partnership
Who will stand up and ask the people of the BVI what they really want?
Be careful of this “we the people” start of you all speeches if you have not consulted with the people.
No more slogan politics.
Them don’t speak for me and my children. This little island is the most discriminating ever. Them fighting Uk just how they fight other Caribbean islands. Them no good. PLEASE COME NOW UK. LET THEMGO LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE.
He needs to stay quiet while he is ahead and stop bringing attention to himself before he get caught up in the mud. Maybe he needs to be dragged in it.
As usual he cannot resist keeping his mouth closed. Always yapping.
At least the other so called pastor knows when to disappear. He has been conspicuously missing in action since the bomb dropped.
Does anyone know where he is hiding out. Honestly speaking, I need to know what has he done to have earned about 1 million dollars from the government?
The COI recommends possible criminal investigation into his contracts with government. If this other one wont stop running his mouth, he might just attract the wrong kind of scrutiny and deservedly so.
Tired of all of them and their fakery.
Where has he been during all these years of govt corruption, drug and gun smuggling, murders, etc. Oh, of course, on their ***. His time is up and he doesn’t know what to do. Pathetic.
Little man trying to fit in with the big boys.
All the flyers out they talking Virgin Islanders Virgin Islanders. What about the belonger as Virgin Islands treat like dogs for decades. Let the Uk hurry come. All you treat people like dogs too much. If you from St Vincent, Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua, jamaica, st Lucia, Grenada, st kitts, Santo Domingo, Uk, USA, Ireland, wherever and you got belonger status this fight not for you. Let the Uk come quick. A tired a discrimination. Black people them worst enemy. Smoke that shot. Change all you dirt ways.
Make some corned pork with all that salt.
If you became a belonger then you a vislander if not go determine the future of where yo from. That’s how it would work if vice versa.
I the a belonger I get dog animal tretment from bvi people. I no go March period!!! I go March take over. Mi family no go March. Labor deportment no good.
Love this place like born there. Paradise been taking some major blows. The most recent was done by man. You don’t play with God! Can only serve one God!
Bitchshop needs to go sit down. when the crooks were squandered the taxpayers money.He never said anything ,now you want the poor men to go protest with you. You sat down and watched the politicians abusing their office and you didn’t have anything. But now you want people to go out there with you. call your nephew claude ,your family In cane garden bay to go with you. Waste of time.
have to speak for the good people of this nation. I have to speak for the honest Virgin Islander … I have to speak up for the incorruptible Virgin Islander, for there many of them here still and I am one of them,” the Bishop said on Saturday; just two days after the world was stunned by news that Premier Andrew Fahie and BVI Ports Authority boss Oleanvine Maynard were arrested in the United States on drug and money laundering charges.
Salt never said how it is salty. corruption is only the taking of one money but it is also being benefited from the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Truth speakers at last.
Our own people sold us to the white man so the king and his cronies could live large. History is repeating itself. Our own people sold us again so them and their cronies can live even larger. Tell me Bishop, what have you done to help the small man? How many BVIslanders you have working for you? How many BVIslanders you assisted with college tuition? Some of us got so comfortable with the government nipple in our mouth that we cannot fathom living without it.
All he wants is for his big friend to become premier so he could continue to benefit. He was one who went down the the governor with a list of names of who he think could run the country. His big friend couldn’t win the election so he is trying to get him in another way. These people are all for themsoves. Sick of them.
Everyone who believes in corruption will be seen together in one place.
Let’s go march so that the gravy train will continue to flow into who’s pocket. Not me. Different page same story as we just saw played out in Florida.
March on to the bad and indifferent practices at bvihsa that you allegedly leave and nobody can correct in how them treating the health care workers that you you help kill with your direct rule when you was in charge of the board and get rid of good nurses doctors and other workers niw you want March for an alleged drug lord one on “(were you a part of his staff?)” so let’s get it right for direct rule
So glad I left the cesspit that is BVI. I hope the UK imposes direct rule and the whole country collapses.
The prison is too small ,some of them crooks would be taken to ENGLAND. Meanwhile ,they will be housed in a submarine out of salt islands.this the list of some of the crooks =Ministers,pS,board members ,law enforcement like -customs,police,immigration,prosecutors,lawyers,prison officers,fake contractors, badges owners. Tropical shipping needs to start clearing some containers to assist the UK to purge these crooks. They should implement a no flight zone on them. Set of crooks.
Reading is Fundamental. The Governor took over a week to read and interpret the report. The report has been available to us in less than three days and we start running our mouth. It clearly shows that we did not read the report in its entirety. We need to stop embarrassing ourselves. The Governor is probably laughing at us. Reading is Fundamental.
Are you saying that because the Govenor took two weeks to read the report no one else is able read the report and properly assess its contents in a shorter timeframe?
Did it dawn on you that it might have taken the Govenor two weeks given his busy schedule. Try and properly assess situations before making such empty contributions.
I have to speak up for the incorruptible Virgin Islander, for there many of them here still and I am one of them,” the Bishop said
Who this Ninja fooling??
Where is CSC?
Dear Hon Milling and FEDS take photos of everyone marching and start there……
what andrew fahie did tell a lot about tortola so i do not see why to protest whatever uk want to do is up to them tortola need fix
So the Pastor condones drugs and money laundering does he. How much money has his church made. The Premier and the Maynards has led us into the UK’s arms. Pastor this March is the work of the devil – be careful because God is watching you.
And Pastor the BVI has got a dark side Pastor you just closing your eyes to it. When people get shot at lunchtime in Fish Bay and at Bobby’s on a Sunday early evening, or found tied up in Sea Cows Bay and thats without the murders that linked to drugs, then devil is already here and yes its a dark time now. Maybe UK can clean it up – and if it cannot then BVI going to become another Jamaica.
Yes please, all who benefited from decades of corruption in the public service gather together on Monday morning and show your faces. It will make life a lot easier for the RVIPF.
Police should take photos of all on that March and protest – cos they have the most to lose by UK taking over. If it was up to me I would let BVI rule itself and be run into the ground. What chance does BVI have when its Government officials are taking care of themselves and not its people.
Power and having control of the bank accounts with millions in goes to some heads and it makes them want more and more money.
When the movie is released about the BVI’s decline the leading roles will be:
Andrew Fahie – Bill Cosby with lots of make up
O. Maynard – Eddie Murphy with lots of make up
K. Maynard – Will Smith with some make up
Bishop Cline – Martin Lawrence
Guv Rankin – Leonardo DiCaprio with make up
Honest lady auditor – Gabrielle Union
Claude Skelton Clyne – Bishop Cline
Any comments?
LOL
Nobody wants a UK turnover for the simple fact that once the audits recommended by CoI there are not going to be many that come out unscathed. The Territory has reached the stage where it is time to clean up shop, and bring back accountability.
That said, I doubt seriously the UK wants to take over the BVis in perpetuity. There is no precendent, meaningful revenue to derive, or political value in the UK by doing so.
@Serious ….., You are so right in your blog these people do want change because they wont have that big money coming in.The so called Bishop stand to loose all the rent from the government and most of his flowers are too dumb to see why he is doing this its for his benefit. I say yes to the UK take over.
the level of ignorance at this “march” is appalling. making this out to be about colonialism and completely ignoring the fact of what your own people and leader did and has been doing is absurd. you are marching against take over when your own leader has allegedly had a hand in your sons going down the wrong path, getting killed, mothers mourning for their children, children mourning for their parents and you all making it look like the UK coming for you with chains! keep fighting for your own people to get rich at the expense of your blood.
While you marching, since you a man of the cloth,tek down them green cloth,
This man must be hearing from the gods of this world
A march organized by the corrupt, to keep the corrupt in power. Sure that seems sensible.
These so called elected figures need to be removed by way of fresh elections. They are all dirty or feckless and need to go sit down. Let a fresh slate of candidates be given a chance to put forward their proposals for their vision, their resumes (so we can ensure only competent ppl get elected). The VIP and NDP and other legacy politicians need to go sit the hell down
These so called elected figures need to be removed by way of fresh elections. They are all dirty or feckless and need to go sit down. Let a fresh slate of candidates be given a chance to put forward their proposals for their vision, their resumes (so we can ensure only competent ppl get elected). The VIP and NDP and other legacy politicians need to go sit the hell down
The question should be does the Cline still do the Dutty Wine