(CMR) A public peaceful demonstration is being organized for Friday, December 11 in front of the House of Parliament from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m against McKeeva Bush.
The protest is to speak out against the “the abhorrent and abusive behavior of the current Speaker of the House, William McKeeva Bush'. Bush pleaded guilty last week Thursday to several counts of common assault and a single count of disorderly conduct. The charges stemmed from an assault of a bar manager at Coral Beach on West Bay Road.
Organizers began planning the protest in earnest after the guilty plea as Bush appeared unphased by the matter publicly. He could be seen smiling at Friday's inaugural opening of the new House of Parliament; shaking the governor and premier's hands.
Calling for greater accountability of elected officials demonstrators hope to highlight their disapproval of the assault and the fact that this Unity Government has largely remained silent on the matter. Acting Speaker of the House, Barbara Conolly, one of three female legislators refused to allow a motion from Ezzard Miller to be tabled earlier in the year that sought a vote of no confidence against the speaker.
The Crisis Centre has called this incident the tipping point for Cayman on gender-based violence. However, this government does not appear to agree with this sentiment. Not a single female member has publically spoken out about the matter with many calling for their removal from public office as a result.
Thus far the Unity government has refused to remove Bush as Speaker of Parliament (previously the Legislative Assembly) as well as speak out about the public violence of a woman and homophobic comments that were made during the assault.
Miller has been the lead on removing Bush and calling for greater accountability from all members. He has had the support of the Official Opposition except for Kenneth Bryan who indicated he wished for the outcome to be finalized before asking for Bush's removal. Bryan's stance caused a rift and saw him remove from the Official Opposition in early March as a result.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
