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VOLUME:117 No.136, JUNE 11TH, 2020

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CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS Victim wins payout 13 years after shot twice by police

‘Pulling trigger is last resort’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge has said police must guard against criticism of excessive force but warned that pulling a trigger on an unarmed person “should be a measure of last resort”.

Justice Indra Charles’ remarks came as she ordered the government to pay $22,500 in damages after she found a police officer used excessive force when she shot a man in his buttocks 13 years ago.

That bill will likely increase, however, because Justice Charles will assess damages for the man’s injuries in September. In the

postscript of her ruling, Justice Charles also reflected on the worldwide protests following the recent policeinvolved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“The world is condemning police brutalities especially of unarmed persons,” she wrote in the ruling released this week.

“Our police must guard itself against such criticisms by the public. To pull a trigger especially on unarmed individuals must be a measure of last resort.

A cardinal principle of our Constitution is that a man is presumed to be innocent until and unless a jury finds him otherwise. The fact

A QUADRIPLEGIC and his elderly father escaped injury after a suspected arson attack on their home early on Tuesday morning.

Michael Wells, 57, is unable to speak and move while his father has dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

His sister, Cherylann Welles, 60, told The Tribune her brother did not know

SEE PAGE TWO

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

HOTEL workers yesterday voiced optimism that Atlantis’ planned July 7 re-opening represents “real progress” towards a fullon tourism rebound almost three months after the industry’s near-total shutdown. The Paradise Island mega resort, in a letter to staff, confirmed its “phase one” restart will take place on that date when “our first guests” are welcomed back.

The document, which while unsigned is likely to have come from Audrey Oswell, Atlantis’ president and managing director, told workers: “After several difficult months I am pleased to inform you that Atlantis will begin welcoming guests back through its doors on July 7.”

INSURER SURVIVED IT HACK

SEE PAGE THREE

when the alleged perpetrator lit the fire. However he recalled smelling smoke before 5am on Tuesday.

“Whoever came in through the kitchen window, they came through. They closed the door, closed the bathroom door, put whatever substance they had in the roof and they left out the front door and left the door open,” she said.

ATLANTIS TO OPEN ITS DOORS ON JULY 7

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FATHER AND SON SAFE AFTER ARSON ATTACK

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

L SOUR CE

ANGELIKA’S AID

ARTIST Angelika Wallace Whitfield, above, has been working on her Hope is a Weapon merchandise to raise money for the IDEA Relief organisation to keep Abaco natives fed during these challenging times. IDEA is a marine-based relief agency tasked with providing assistance in the first 12 to 48 hours after a hurricane Read the full story in tomorrow’s Weekend section

A MAJOR Bahamian insurance company has revealed it almost fell victim to computer hackers “during the height” of the COVID-19 lockdown.

While it reassured customers that no private information had been obtained by the hackers, Bahamas First, the property and casualty underwriter, revealed in its just-released 2019 annual report that it managed to “prevent the complete shutdown” of its information technology system when intruders attempted to penetrate it.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

GOVT SUED OVER PI PROJECT ‘U-TURN’ FRONT PORCH

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian entrepreneur behind the proposed $2m renovation of Paradise Island’s lighthouse yesterday said he refuses to continue “begging like a jonser” after taking his battle with the government to court.

Toby Smith, principal of Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club

ENTREPRENEUR: Toby Smith Company, confirmed to Tribune Business he has initiated legal action to force

the government to honour the Crown Land lease agreement he executed in early January for two separate parcels at Colonial Beach.

Disclosing he has hired Wayne Munroe QC to lead his action, Mr Smith vowed he is “not going around the Mulberry Bush again” after efforts to obtain all necessary approvals for his beach break destination went into their ninth year.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

BY SIMON SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Father and son safe after arson attack

THE FAMILY inspect the damage yesterday Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff from page one “Whoever did this had no mercy, you come to light the house on fire with someone who can’t even walk and the next one ...he can walk but he just don’t know nothing.”

Police were at the scene yesterday to look at the damage and take statements.

John Johnson, Mr Wells’ caretaker of about four years, came to the house just in time to extinguish the fire before it spread. Mr Johnson arrived around six that morning and heard Mr Wells calling for him. However, his caretaker was not aware of what occurred.

“I just took my time and took my things out of the car and when I noticed the front door wasn’t locked, I opened the front door. I just pulled it open and walked inside. First thing I saw was the ceiling on fire.

“It wasn’t a big blaze. Just the red from the fire getting

ready to get big. When I saw it I just walked past the fire because the fire was over my head.”

He said he was able to quickly extinguish the fire by throwing water on it.

Mr Johnson noticed the bathroom door was locked and Michael Wells’ door was closed. He added the smoke detector in his room was going off.

His caretaker had spent the night in the house since the incident and will do so going forward, his sister said.

According to Mr Wells, he believes the culprit has mental health issues and is known to people who live nearby.

Mr Wells mainly communicates by writing on a computer screen. Using a magnet on his forehead, this creates a beam to type on the monitor to write books. He was in the 2008 Bahamian film called “I Am Not a Dummy” which explored his life and work.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 3

‘We should march to force removal of Columbus statue’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

REVEREND Sebastian Campbell says Bahamians are too docile and should march to force the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in front of Government House.

He spoke to reporters yesterday after Progressive Liberal Party supporters announced at a press conference that they will try to get a petition for the removal of the statue tabled in the House of Assembly. The petition had 8,750 signatures up to press time.

Christopher Columbus statues have been targeted for removal or destruction by protestors in the wake of the controversial killing of American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month as people across the world protest systemic racism.

Father Campbell said: “Maybe this an ideal time for Bahamians to have their protest and bring this to the forefront. This an ideal time, Bahamians are too docile and too laidback, we need to march and probably have this as the centerpiece of our march and educate, educate, educate.

The real story of Columbus has not been told. A lot of lies have been told about Columbus in our schools and therefore we venerate him as some kind of hero.

“Bahamians need to be more radical, we’re not radical enough.

We only get radical when it comes to our money, that’s when we ready to march and turn the town down. I think (marching for removing the statue) is setting us on a more intellectual course where we can think more intellectually about what this represents and liberate our minds from

LATRAE Rahming speaking in front of the statue of Columbus where we are to where we ought to be and uplift those Bahamian heroes in our society today.

Father Campbell noted that he was on the national heroes committee 25 years ago that called for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue. The committee’s campaign resulted in the government replacing a Discovery Day holiday with a National Heroes Day holiday.

“Because Columbus is just posing here the way he’s posing, our children, generations unborn, will immediately think of him as some hero, as somebody with some positive work and that is unfortunate and in this era of an independent Bahamas we need to look at those heroes, those nation builders, those legends, such as Sir Milo Butler, Lynden Pindling, Cecil Wallace, Dame Doris Johnson, the list goes on, to somehow find a way to venerate these persons,” he said. “Look and see what we did with Milo for example in Rawson Square, just a little bus we have of Milo sitting opposite the Victoria

statue then we come here and we have this imposing life size statue of Christopher Columbus.”

Latrae Rahming, a prominent PLP supporter, said talks have began with parliamentarians who are prepared to table the petition for the statue’s removal in Parliament. The petition was started by Craig Woodside.

“If we aren’t successful (at getting the document tabled), we would’ve done one thing, at least have a conversation as to who we are and where we are so this petition has sparked a vigorous debate as to who we are and it also sheds light on the history of Christopher Columbus,” he said.

He added that while the statue should be removed, it should not be destroyed.

“I leave it in the hands of the historians and government officials to find what is the rightful place of Columbus,” he said.

He also discouraged a protest movement that seeks to remove the Columbus statue without the support of authorities.

“I think our democracy gives us the instruments that we must use,” he said. “We must allow democracy to take its course, we must allow Parliament to accept the petition.”

Asked if the PLP would remove the statue if it regains power, he said: “I can tell you this, the members of parliament for the PLP have always advocated for the removal of the statue. I have spoken to the chairman of the PLP Mr Mitchell who said I have his support on the issue so there is support on that basis and I do intend to ask a member of the minority in Parliament to bring this petition to parliament and if a member of the government believes in this cause we will accept that as well.”

THE STATUE of Christopher Columbus in front of Government House

Pulling trigger is last resort, warns judge from page one that a citizen’s arrest was made does not automatically prove guilt.”

Jermaine Rahming, 44, sought damages for personal injuries and exemplary damages after he was shot

by Police Constable 2024 Ramona Burrows-Forde on April 29, 2007. Justice Charles has awarded him $7,500 in punitive damages and legal costs of $15,000 must be paid to him.

Government lawyers argued that he was lawfully arrested by two people for attempted rape and was subsequently shot while trying to flee police custody.

They said he was a fleeing felon and justifiable force was used to prevent his escape.

According to Justice Charles’ ruling, Mr Rahming was heading to a FNM rally at Arawak Cay when two civilians approached him and accused him of attempting to rape a deaf and mute woman.

“Mr Rahming was physically abused by the two civilians, neither of whom actually witnessed Mr Rahming in the act,” she wrote. “They forcibly dragged him to the nearby Fort Charlotte Police Station. (The deaf woman) followed them to the police station. While at the police station, the civilians informed Officer Forde that (the deaf woman) communicated to them that Mr Rahming attempted to rape her. The men then left.

“Mr Rahming was livid that he was being alleged of attempting to rape (the woman). After all, he considered himself a

law-abiding citizen. He has never had any brush with the law. So, he protested. He may have used expletives. “He even gave Officer Forde a fictitious name as she was writing down information pertaining to his identity. Officer Forde was the only officer on duty at the police station. Mr Rahming and (the deaf woman) were in the waiting area at the front of the police station.

Mr Rahming was not cautioned. He was not under arrest. He was not handcuffed or placed in a cell.

In fact, Officer Forde was not equipped with a pair of handcuffs and, in those days, the police station had no cell.

“At some point in the investigation, Officer Forde asked (the woman) for an explanation of what occurred.

She uttered sounds and performed sign language to Officer Forde.

She pointed to Mr Rahming. He became fearful of going to Fox Hill prison and as soon as Officer Forde turned around to answer the phone, he immediately ran out of the police station headed in a westerly direction. Officer Forde shot him twice in the lower back and buttocks. He fell to the ground. Ambulance services arrived and transported him to the Princess Margaret Hospital where he received medical treatment for the gunshot wounds. He was eventually released from hospital on 14 May 2007.”

Mr Rahming was never charged with rape, attempted rape or any similar offenses. Charges accusing him of assaulting a police officer and trying to escape contrary to the

Penal Code were eventually withdrawn by the prosecutor after several hearing adjournments.

Justice Charles said under cross-examination, Mr Rahming struck her as a credible and honest witness “although, at times, he became overwhelmed with emotions.”

Three witnesses for the defendants testified, including Officer Forde. Justice Charles said she found her inconsistent and “incapable of belief,” adding that she “equivocated quite a bit.”

Officer Forde had testified that when Mr Rahming tried to flee, he tripped on

the deaf woman who was sitting in a chair and then he pushed her — Officer Forde — in the chest when she approached them. She said the push caused her to stumble against the wall and hit her head and right shoulder. She said when she tried to lock the station door, Mr Rahming struck her on her mouth and nose. She said Mr Rahming tried to take a firearm out her pocket.

She said she cautioned him to stop while removing her firearm. She said when he did not stop she fired a shot at him, causing him to fall in the doorway. She said when she approached him,

he got up and tried to run again, prompting her to fire a second shot.

Officer Forde testified that she received significant injuries but did not see a doctor until the following Monday and did not produce documentary evidence of that visit.

Justice Charles wrote: “It is always a difficult task for a judge to determine who is telling the truth when the evidence is diametrically opposite. That being said and having the advantage of seeing, hearing and observing the witnesses’ demeanor, on a balance of probabilities,

I preferred Mr Rahming’s evidence to that of Office Forde. I found her evidence to be inconsistent and incapable of belief.

One would have expected a police officer to produce documentary evidence, for example, the incomplete detention record or indeed, her own medical report to substantiate her assertion that she received medical attention for the injuries which she allegedly sustained at the hands of Mr Rahming. But, this was not so. She appeared nonchalant.”

Editorial View - Page 6

PAGE 4, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Johnson puts faith in $30m investment

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net AFTER spending some $30m, the Department of Immigration will soon have a fully online application and cashless system, Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday.

The department has also installed a facial recognition thermometer at its entrance to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Mr Johnson made the announcement during a press conference called to update the public on its strides in modernisation.

“Very shortly, after spending almost $30 million to digitise the Immigration Department, we should be able to at least upload our applications,” Mr Johnson said. “This will do away with the complaints of people being unable to find their documents and a number of other things.

I am happy that we have industry supporting us and a number of public education campaigns will be introduced.”

The minister said there is no reason people living abroad should not be able to do business with the Immigration Department

MINISTER of Immigration Elsworth Johnson holds a facial recognition device as Director of Immigration Clarence A Russell looks on Photo: Derek Smith/BIS via this online, cashless method. “Our number one industry is tourism,” he continued. “Our second industry is financial services, but, one of the most important industries we serve is our clients and the Bahamian public and so in very short order, we will go cashless.”

He also said: “There is absolutely no excuse why the person who lives on Cat Island, the individuals who were born to non-Bahamian parents and in Port-AuPrince or the student in

Canada should not be able to upload their applications online, pay online, get an instantaneous receipt and have a system that builds in an algorithm to say to you when you will get a response. That is the new way of doing things. If you travel to Canada, Dubai and other places, that’s how they are doing it.”

Besides the online system, the department has partnered with SunRise Communications Ltd to introduce a new facial recognition thermometer

camera to assist in the fight and early detection of COVID-19.

The device, placed in the department’s foyer, performs contactless temperature measurement and facial recognition.

The technology will also be deployed at Mount Royal House, Monarch House, Prince George Dock office, Carmichael Road Detention Centre and Lynden Pindling International Airport. The systems were purchased at a cost of $1,500 each.

Mr Johnson said the department has other measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. “We want to safeguard our most vital resource and that is our employees ... There are a number of initiatives put in place in terms of social distancing and properly cleaning your hands, coming to the department by appointment only,” he said.

“Like the US Embassy, when you come to The Bahamas Immigration Department, you will come by way of appointment.

We will not tolerate abuse.

We have an obligation to provide courteous and efficient service to members of the public. We have a complaints process and we will be soon bringing on someone to head up our complaints and corruption section. So we will treat members of the public with the respect that they deserve.”

The department is currently recruiting 120 officers and promotions are now before the Public Service Commission for approval.

BAHAMIANS STUCK IN EUROPE HEADING HOME BAHAMIAN citizens and residents who were stuck in the United Kingdom and Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic are set to return home today.

Nearly 20 Bahamians who were stuck in Cuba arrived yesterday.

“COVID-19 has meant that families have found themselves kept apart due to border closures, travel restrictions, and lack of commercial air traffic routes,” a press release from the British High Commission noted.

‘With an ocean between them, those Bahamian nationals and residents in the United Kingdom and Europe have had a particularly tough waiting period to be united with their loved ones.”

British High Commissioner in Nassau Sarah Dickson said: “I heard that Bahamian nationals in the UK were finding it difficult to find routes home due to flight restrictions here in The Bahamas and in the US. I was happy to link up the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bahamas High Commission London with the governor’s offices in Cayman and Turks and Caicos.

“I know how much we all want to be with our families at this difficult time and we are all neighbours in this region. I am really grateful for the help from Cayman and TCI for making this

happen. This is a good example of how the UK and The Bahamas working together can achieve great results.”

A British Airways flight chartered by the Cayman Islands government is due to leave London today to fly direct to Providenciales.

The Bahamian government has coordinated with the Turks and Caicos government to run a connecting Bahamasair flight to Nassau. Bookings for the special humanitarian flight were made available through the Bahamian High Commission London.

Last month, the Nassau Guardian reported that more than 50 Bahamians were stuck in the UK and Europe and they wanted to come home.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that 19 Bahamians who were stranded in Cuba were set to return home via Bahamasair yesterday.

“As the Cuban border is still closed, the government of The Bahamas wishes to express its appreciation to the government of Cuba for permitting this relief flight access to allow these nationals and residents to return home,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Foriegn Affairs said it will continue to advise members of the public if additional flights are organised.

COURT DISCHARGES MUSLIM FROM CHINA SEEKING ASYLUM

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAGISTRATE discharged a Muslim man who was arrested for violating the national curfew after the accused explained he is homeless and seeking asylum in the country after fleeing China.

Mohetaer Maihemuti, 33, appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence RolleDavis after officers found him near Village Road around 12.15am on June 9. He pleaded guilty, but said he was unaware of the curfew until officers informed him that he was not allowed to be outdoors after 9pm.

Prosecutor Kenny Thompson told the court when officers arrested Maihemuti that morning, he told them he was outside because he had been evicted from the place he was renting and had no place to live. Sgt Thompson also said the defendant told police he was using wifi from a Burger King restaurant in the vicinity.

When given an opportunity to speak during the hearing, Maihemuti told the magistrate he was a refugee from China that had

been living in The Bahamas for five years. He said he was not Chinese, but a part of an “ethnic minority of Turkey Muslim people that lived in a region in China under the communist China regime.” He added that he had received food, supplies and money from the government up until August of last year. After that, he said he applied to the United Nations (UN) for assistance and was given money to pay his rent.

Still, he said after February, he did not receive any more funds from the UN or Bahamian officials although he applied for additional assistance. Maihemuti said when he was no longer able to pay his rent, his landlord evicted him. He added that he was waiting on the Bahamas Department of Immigration to give him legal documents because he did not have a work permit.

He added that he “had to go outside and stay on the street,” because he did not have an income. He also noted that he had never had an issue with the law before.

As a result of his explanation, inquiries were made. During the hearing, an immigration officer was

also able to confirm that Maihemuti was in the process of renewing his refugee status which had expired.

He also noted that the process had been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and assured the magistrate that the defendant’s application was in the final stages of processing and would be approved in a matter of days.

In response, Magistrate Rolle-Davis noted that although Maihemuti was granted asylum in the country, he would again be in violation of the emergency orders because he had no place to stay. Still, he said he would exercise his discretion and not impose a fine on the defendant, since he did not have any money to pay it. Magistrate Davis-Rolle then urged Maihemuti to apply for a work permit so that he could try and make money to take care of himself. He also noted that the country was in a peculiar position where some Bahamians needed assistance just as much as Maihemuti. Still, he insisted that they could not let him starve. “The reality is there must be a balance,” he stated. Maihemuti was subsequently discharged.

THE TRIBUNE

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal has overturned the 12-year prison sentence of a man who was accused of raping a woman in 2015, after he argued his conviction was unsafe since the trial judge failed to give the jury a good character direction.

Josue Celestin was accused of raping a woman on November 9, 2015.

At the time, the woman alleged Celestin forced her to perform a sex act on him while he assaulted her. She also claimed Celestin was armed with a screwdriver.

However he claimed during the trial that the sex acts were consensual, adding he and the complainant had an agreement he would pay her $50 in return. He claimed the woman made the rape claim because he did not pay her the agreed sum.

Celestin was convicted of rape on October 11, 2018 and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on March 28, 2019. He appealed his conviction on the grounds that a good character direction was necessary to help the jury evaluate his testimony as it related to his “credibility and propensity to do the things complained of in the charge”.

Yesterday, Justices Sir Michael Barnett and Maureen Crane-Scott quashed Celestin’s conviction after ruling that he was “entitled to the benefit of a good character direction.”

However, there was a dissenting view on the panel.

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 5

Court overturns rape conviction Justice Roy Jones disagreed with his colleagues and said the sentence and conviction should be upheld.

According to the judgment Celestin and his wife shared a home with the victim. “(The woman) alleged that on November 9, 2015, while the appellant’s wife was not at home, the appellant entered her bedroom, armed with a screwdriver and forced her to perform oral sex on him,” the court documents read.

The complainant said she was forced to perform other acts without her consent.

Following the incident, she informed a male friend who confronted the appellant. Once the matter was reported to the police, the appellant was arrested and charged with the offence of rape.

The court added: “The appellant’s defence was that all acts were consensual, and he denied possessing a screwdriver

during the incident. He testified that he and the virtual complainant had an agreement that he would pay her $50 to engage in these acts and it was only once he indicated that he did not have the $50 was the matter reported to (the male friend) who, he says, beat him up for not paying for the sex as agreed. The appellant asserted that (the woman) was a prostitute who performs sexual acts for money as a means of earning a living.”

In the judgment, Sir Michael Barnett said the trial judge erred when he failed to give Celestin the benefit of a good character direction. He also noted that the failure had an impact on “the safety of the verdict.”

“Although defence counsel did not himself raise the issue of a good character direction, it was clear to the prosecution that the evidence led was sufficient to draw the inference that

the appellant had placed his character in issue and was entitled to the benefit of a character direction both as to credibility as well as propensity,” he noted.

Sir Michael Barnett also said that a judge has an “obligation to ensure that an accused person receives a fair trial.” He also argued that a judge has a duty “to satisfy himself as to the appropriateness of a good character direction when the character and credibility of an accused is raised in the trial.”

“In my judgment in any case where the character or credibility of an accused may be in issue, the trial judge is obliged at some stage prior to giving the directions to the jury to inquire whether an accused has antecedents and a good character direction is appropriate.

This, in my judgment, is part of his duty to ensure a fair trial of the person appearing before him. This

inquiry can be made at the case management stage or at any stage during the trial in the absence of the jury. This is a duty independent of the duty of the defence counsel to raise it on behalf of his client,” he stated. “...I accept that a failure to give a good character direction does not automatically make a conviction unsafe, but given the facts of this case where it turned on the credulity of (the complainant) and the appellant, I am satisfied that a fair trial required the judge to assist the jury in considering the evidence. The judge was, in my view, required to give the jury the direction that the appellant’s good character may support his credibility and so is something which the jury should take into account when deciding whether they believe his evidence; and that it may mean that he is less likely

BIMINI MAN, 22, FACING DOUBLE MURDER CHARGE A 22-YEAR-OLD Bimini resident was arraigned in Freeport yesterday for a double murder which occurred three years ago.

Kyas Alphonso Duncombe, of Bailey Town, Bimini, was charged before Magistrate Charlton Smith with two counts of murder.

He was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to July 6 for trial.

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in Nassau in the interim.

The charges are connected to the murders of 27-year-old Joseph Bain, of Weddell Avenue, Freeport and 25-year-old Stephon LaFrance of Hunters, Grand Bahama.

The men were shot outside Game Time Bar on Logwood Road, Freeport, shortly before 1am on Wednesday February 1, 2017.

One of the men died on the scene and the other was taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries..

POLICE HOLD SUSPECT OVER GAS STATION ARMED ROBBERY

KYAS Alphonso Duncombe pictured yesterday

MAN ADMITS THREATENING HARM

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 33-YEAR-OLD man who was accused of threatening to harm his ex-girlfriend during an argument last month was charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Scott Major appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis after he was accused of threatening his children’s mother on May 25. He pleaded guilty and was discharged on the agreement that he would be of “good and sensible character.”

Prosecutor Kenny Thompson said around 9.30am that day, the mother of Major’s children told police that she was outside of a friend’s residence when

the defendant pushed her and threatened her stating that he would “(expletive) her up if she didn’t come back with him.” Sgt Thompson said this statement placed the complainant in fear of her life, so she requested police action.

Major was subsequently arrested, and during the interview with police at the Southern Police Station, denied the allegations.

During the hearing, Major’s attorney told the magistrate that the incident occurred because the complainant was “out late” with their children and his client wanted them to come back home. He explained that the complainant had left with her and Mr Major’s children for two weeks to stay with a friend after

they had an argument. He also claimed that his client called the complainant so she could come home with their kids, but she refused, which caused the situation to escalate. Stating that the defendant was remorseful for his actions, Major’s counsel insisted that the defendant had just lost his temper at the time.

In response, Magistrate Rolle-Davis said since the defendant just lost his “good sense” in the heat of the moment, he would dismiss the matter. Still he warned Major to be of good behaviour and reminded him that his children’s mother had a right not to be around him if she didn’t want to. He also noted that Major could not “compel her to stay” against her will.

CHARGED WITH VIOLATING HIS BAIL

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 46-YEAR-OLD man was charged in Magistrate’s Court for violating the conditions of his bail.

Perez Major appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis after he failed to sign in at the Kemp Bay Police Station in Andros for four months, after he was charged with murder in 2017 and granted bail in the Supreme Court.

Prosecutor Kenny Thompson told the court that officers on the island cautioned Major and asked him why he did not report to the police station after discovering that he had failed to sign in between

than otherwise might be the case to have committed the offence with which he is charged.”

In her opinion, Justice Crane-Scott said “a misdirection of law occurred” since Celstin was not given the benefit of a direction which he was entitled to by law.

“This was a sexual case which undoubtedly involved the classic ‘clash of credibility’ between the respective cases for the prosecution and the defence, in the sense that the jury had to decide whether they believed the rape allegations of the virtual complainant or whether the sworn testimony of the appellant, denying the rape, might be true. In those circumstances, this was a case where the need for a good character direction was particularly ‘acute,’” she noted.

The court said parties involved should make written submissions on the issue of retrial by June 17.

January 29 and June 8. Sgt Thompson said at the time, Major told them that his brother had left the island so he didn’t have a ride to get to the station.

After pleading guilty to the offence, Major told the magistrate that he had “lost everything” after he was released in prison from 2017. He claimed that he had moved to Andros from Nassau to stay away from trouble. He also said he had become a “community person” on the island and was involved in organising can drives and assisting the elderly. Major added that he had just started work at a new hotel that had opened in Andros in February, and said he couldn’t go

to the police station to sign in because he was working and taking care of his 13-year-old and nine-yearold children. He also said that he didn’t have a ride to get there because his brother had left the island.

In response, Magistrate Rolle-Davis told Major he would send him to the Supreme Court for a judge to determine whether his bail would be revoked.

During the hearing, Major was also charged with threats of grievous harm after he was accused of threatening a man in South Andros on June 2. He denied the allegation and the matter was adjourned to September 9 for trial.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

POLICE have a man in custody who is helping with an armed robbery investigation.

The man was arrested in connection with a robbery on West Bay Street on Tuesday morning.

According to earlier reports from police, two men robbed a Rubis service station of cash from the till. One of the men was armed with a handgun.

Both wore masks. The men were caught on the station’s CCTV and the video was widely circulated on social media.

Police said yesterday they are still searching for the second suspect, adding significant leads were being followed.

PAGE 6, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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13 years to find justice for being shot in the back by police WHAT are the consequences of police using excessive force?

Too often, the answer is none at all.

Across in the United States, it seems to have taken mass protests to push for justice for George Floyd, the man killed by a police officer who knelt on his neck until he stopped breathing. Significantly, a black CNN journalist covering the protests was arrested before the officer who killed Mr Floyd was arrested.

But what of locally? We can run through a list of cases where no action has been taken against officers for excessive force. Even in the case of the unlawful killing of Osworth Rolle more than three years ago, no prosecution has gone ahead.

So we welcome the comments of Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles who warned yesterday that police must only pull a trigger on an unarmed person as a last resort – and warned the police to guard itself against criticisms of excessive force.

The case that brought the comments was that of Jermaine Rahming, who was shot by a police officer in his buttocks 13 years ago.

Yes, you read that right, 13 years.

That’s how long this case has taken to wind its slow way towards justice. That in itself is a travesty.

Mr Rahming was shot as he ran from a police station. He was not under arrest at the time. Nor had he been cautioned.

In fact, he was never charged with the offences he was accused of, and charges of trying to escape were withdrawn.

Should he have run? No. Should he have been shot in the lower back and buttocks by a police officer? Did he

present a threat significant enough to draw a pistol and open fire?

Justice Charles was unflinching in her criticism of the police officer, calling her evidence inconsistent and “incapable of belief”. She awarded damages to Mr Rahming.

Crucially, she pointed out that “a cardinal principle of our Constitution is that a man is presumed to be innocent until and unless a jury finds him otherwise”.

As we weigh the number of cases where we hear – or see video these days – of incidents of police brutality, that principle has to be borne in mind.

These people who police are filmed beating at Junkanoo, or slapping on a beach, or who allegedly tortured people in Eleuthera or many more cases, must be presumed to be innocent. And if the police are treating innocent people that way – and the Eleuthera case is another where entirely different suspects were later arrested – then how are those police officers not actually committing crimes as bad as the ones they claim to be preventing?

A lot rests in the hands of Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle. He has made the right noises about tackling unfair treatment, saying “you’re gonna see some things” on the matter recently.

But noises only take us so far, and we look forward to seeing action. And we would urge police officers across the nation to consider carefully the words of Justice Charles. After all, justice should be a shared goal, and allowing brutality to continue will open the force to the same criticism that is bringing people out on the streets around the globe.

The value of the government’s word NOT worth the paper it’s written on.

That’s an unusual way for Attorney General Carl Bethel to describe a lease agreement, memorandum of understanding and investment authority approval offered by the Office of the Prime Minister.

Let’s be clear – that kind of paperwork is usually money in the bank for a project. Literally. With that kind of paperwork to show, projects can usually turn to investors with more confidence in the future of the project.

So to see Mr Bethel dismiss it so bluntly makes us wonder what investors will make of the government’s word for other projects.

The development in question is the Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club scheme from Toby Smith, who says he has been ignored by the Prime Minister over requests for a meeting to discuss the project.

The Attorney General’s stance will now be subject to legal challenge, with Wayne Munroe, QC, and his team announcing yesterday they are ready to take the government to court.

Is the government really honouring its end of the deal in these matters?

Elsewhere, we’ve seen claims from

former MP and Cabinet minister Pierre Dupuch that the Attorney General’s office is using the courts and arbitration system to drag out breach of contract claims in a bid to wear opponents down and force them to settle for cents on the dollar. Measure the depths of the pockets of a small business and government, and it’s not hard to see who can last the longest in a court battle.

Mr Dupuch said he had been told by three different people that the Attorney General told them he would squeeze them and force them to sue and then have the case stretched out for five years. He called for Mr Bethel to resign or be fired. Neither, of course, has happened.

But is this the manner we should be operating? Should government paperwork and commitments mean nothing?

And if they mean nothing, won’t that swiftly destroy the prospects of investment at a time when we need it more than ever?

If a government won’t back up its commitments, then why should we believe its promises? With an election on the way, that’s a lesson this government needs to remember.

Like it or not, Columbus belongs to us EDITOR, The Tribune “DAD changed the world!” shouted a happy, innocent six-year-old child as she rode on her uncle’s back while he plowed through crowds of demonstrators, shouting her father’s name in protest to his death at the hands of the Houston police.

Although she did not know that her father was dead, she realized from the crowds that somehow it was her father who had brought out so many people. And she only had to watch TV to know that people around the world were chanting his name and shouting for change. As she grows older, she will understand.

Yes, little one, your dad, George Floyd, in death has changed the world!

No one can dispute this fact. He had an almost allday funeral that brought out thousands, sparked many eulogies and will result in court cases that will reign in the police in their handling of citizens, especially blacks, because, yes, black lives do matter.

Here in Nassau, there is a report that there is a small group of Bahamians who want the statue of Christopher Columbus removed from the entrance to Government House. Columbus discovered these islands in 1492, thus starting the history of The Bahamas. Like

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net it or not it was Columbus who put our islands on the map and into our history books. Like it or not he is the beginning of our history, and it is most appropriate that the adventurer, who officially put our islands on the map of the world should remain where he stands.

His discovery opened these islands to the world.

It was claimed, without historical proof, that he took some of the first Bahamians to Spain as part of his adventures, thus leading to the slave trade many generations later.

Yes, little Gionna, your Dad has changed the world.

One day a statue will be erected to him for forcing the world to accept, that regardless of colour or nationality, all men (and women) are born equal and should have equal rights and opportunities.

Is George Floyd, who was a basketball champion at high school, only later to stray from the path of righteousness with a string of arrests in Houston, Texas, to be ignored because of a fall from grace? One arrest in his early twenties was for a $10 drug deal that cost him 10 months in jail. Four years later he was found guilty of

aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and spent four years in prison. Released in 2013, he returned to his home in an attempt to turn his life around.

On the day of his death he was alleged to have used a forged $20 note to buy cigarettes. The police were called. And what happened next, resulted in his death at the hands of the police as he called for his dead mother and cried for police to release their choke hold because he could not breathe.

His death resulted in demonstrations around the world to the cry that “black lives do matter” resulting in the determination to change people’s attitude, one to the other regardless of skin pigmentation.

Is he to be denied his hour of glory, and, obviously his place in future history books, because at some period in his life he strayed from the path of righteousness? Of course not – in death he achieved what he had not been given time to do in life.

And so for Christopher Columbus. He too has earned his place in front of Government House. Like it or not he is part of our history, and there he should stand. He belongs to us.

A TRUE BAHAMIAN Nassau, June 10, 2020

‘We need to be open for business’ AFTER Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest acknowledged concerns that ongoing protests and other factors in the United States may lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases there and have an impact on the country’s July 1 date for resuming commercial travel, readers responded on tribune242.com.

Proguing had this to say: “Massive unemployment and bankruptcies will have a much more adverse effect on The Bahamas than COVID-19. We need to be open for business!”

That prompted this reply from Tribanon: “We can re-open for business all we want but today The Bahamas could not pay for the typical North American leisure traveller to come to our shores as a tourist because of their new-found fear and anxiety of flying in a crowded commercial plane or stepping foot on a cruise ship stuffed with passengers in close quarters to one another.”

And this one from Tetelestai: “Serious questions: If tourists aren’t travelling, just what are

we opening up business for?

Second question: What good is it to be ‘open for business’ if, due to COVID-19, we may have an influx of COVID-19 patients in our health system?”

Hj posted this comment: “COVID-19 will be around for some time whether we like it or not. The government had three months or maybe more to develop a plan for dealing with it.

If their plan is to keep the country closed or close it every time there is an issue, then they are even dumber than I thought. For any other industries to develop, if they develop it will take years,

so tourism is what we have at the moment, whether we like foreigners or not. So gentlemen if you want to keep the county closed go ahead. You have all the time you want.”

TigerB said: “We in a mess if we open and in a mess if we don’t . . . How long can the treasure last? Everything is coming out and nothing is going back in.

COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon as HJ said. Whether we open or stay closed and even with a vaccine. We have to find a way to live through it and still live. I support opening.”

And there was this from John:

“The real concern may NOT be most of the American (tourists) coming here, BUT the number of Bahamians who will travel to Florida and elsewhere and not practice safe distancing practices, etc. And if an infected tourist does come here and stay for a while, he/she may encounter 10-20 Bahamians (okay, locals or natives) even before they reach their hotel room. Now multiply that times the percentage out of six million tourists that may be infected. ‘Houston we have a serious problem’, very serious.”

Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 7

Union calls for help in WSC talks

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Utilities and Services and Allied Workers Union is again calling on the government to intervene in ongoing disputes with executives at the Water and Sewage Corporation.

BUSAWU held a press conference at WSC headquarters yesterday to raise issues after one worker was fired and another suspended 10 days without pay.

BUSAWU president Dwayne Woods accused WSC executives of “intimidating, discriminating and victimizing” members.

The union claimed the suspended employee reported to them that they recorded a video of a WSC vehicle parked at the Betty K shipping company allegedly picking up a private shipment not belonging to the corporation. The union said the act was considered an abuse of WSC’s assets.

The union said: “Many employees have been disciplined for breaching this policy. Are some employees above the law or policy?

Are there double standards within the corporation? We are of the view that ‘what is good for the goose is good for the gander.’”

The union said the worker caught on video accused the now suspended employee of stalking and recording her – this led to an investigation in

the matter being launched.

The union argued no report of the investigation was given to BUSAWU or human resources, but the member was summoned to a meeting on June 8 and suspended without pay. Both matters have been referred to the union’s attorney Wayne Monroe.

Yesterday, WSC general manager Elwood Donaldson accused the union leader of spreading falsehoods and half-truths.

“Noticeably, even during a pandemic, Mr Woods continues down an unproductive, unprogressive path.

We would encourage him to reconsider that trek,” Mr Donaldson said in a press statement.

“Mr Woods continues to resort to his constant refrain in seeking to display his apparent fixation with — and an obvious axeto-grind approach towards — the corporation’s executive chairman Adrian Gibson.”

Mr Donaldson said the employee who was fired basically “abandoned his post, and effectively resigned.” The man in question provided a sick slip up to April 14 and “had not provided any further documentation to his supervisor as to why he had not reported for duty since that time,” he said.

“He was also directed to come in by both myself and his immediate supervisor;

he refused to do so and thereby acted in breach of a lawful directive,” Mr Donaldson said, adding the man was fired with proper notice.

He also explained that the second employee was suspended without pay after they found committing a “breach”: filming other workers allegedly circulating these videos on social media.

“After a two week investigation, it was concluded by the corporation that an employee —based on video footage, the testimony of multiple employees, including two managers, and comparative social media videos – was found filming multiple employees and, based upon the evidence, seemingly circulated the same on various social media platforms; the circulation was accompanied by disparaging write-ups,” Mr Donaldson said.

“This act was inappropriate and gross misconduct; against corporation protocols and procedures on good employee conduct and meant to damage the corporation’s image, which is in breach of the employee code of conduct and the Industrial Agreement. “...Given the breach, the employee was suspended for ten days without pay,” he said. “It is wholly improper for coworkers to engage in recording the activities of other coworkers.”

JULIEN BELIEVE, right, was part of the surprise LOCAL entertainers recently surprised staff at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and the Department of Social Services with lunch.

Singer, songwriter and producer Julien Believe, disc jockeys and entrepreneurs The Mighty Pencil and Dion “Da Butcher” Knowles and entrepreneur Josh Miller delivered the surprise.

Physical distancing protocols and other safety measures as dictated by the Ministry of Health, were adhered to during the visit, a press release noted.

Employees from the Department of Gender and Family Affairs and the Department of Rehabilitative Welfare Services also benefited from the treat which served as a “thank you” for the yeoman’s work employees have done in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID19 pandemic, while still providing assistance and services to their regular clients. A similar presentation took place at the Department of Social Services Head Office located on Baillou Hill Road.

Several local companies aided the venture as well.

Julian Believe, who spoke on behalf of the partnership, explained the reason

SALVATION ARMY DONATES MASKS TO PHA

THE Salvation Army donated 10,000 N-95 masks to the Public Hospitals Authority yesterday. The donation took place at the Salvation Army’s headquarters on Mackey Street. This donation marks the latest in a series of significant donations to PHA in the fight against COVID19 by individual donors, community groups, corporate partners and faith communities. Pictured, left to right: Karla Wells, Verna Bonaby, Audley Bain and Major Clarence Ingraham.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

FIRM EXTENDS A HELPING HAND EXTENDING a helping hand to the community once again, Family Guardian recently provided prepared meals to the disabled students and their families from the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled.

Linda Smith, administrator for BAPD said: “What is evident is that so many families are hurting and are in need. Family Guardian’s donation of prepared family meals for our students is a blessing at this time. We just can’t wait to finally see the kids after such a long time and better yet to be able to take them a special treat that the entire family can enjoy together. The additional family meals for our staff to take home was another welcomed surprise that we are all greatly appreciative for.”

The family meals donated by the insurance company consisted of a roasted chicken, fried fish fillets, peas ‘n’ rice, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables and a cream cheese swirled banana bread for dessert.

LINDA SMITH, BAPD administrator

ENTERTAINERS BRING IN A SURPRISE LUNCH for the gesture. “This is bigger than just me. It is a team effort,” he said. “We have been distributing food to a number of persons affected by COVID-19 and a lot of times, the real heroes do not get the kind of credit they deserve and go unnoticed. I consulted with my team with a view to doing something special for the country’s social service providers and we decided that we wanted to treat you to lunch today just to show our appreciation for the work that you do.

“We could not say thank you enough. We are very appreciative for what you do, and of your contributions to our country and to those who are not in a position to help themselves.

We trust that you will continue to stay motivated. We love you and are very, very grateful for the services that you provide.”

Phedra Rahming, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, thanked the local celebrities and their partners, for the show of appreciation.

“In addition to the assistance and services they provide to our regular clients, employees across the Commonwealth of The Bahamas have been in the trenches working, providing additional assistance and services to qualifying Bahamians, since Hurricane Dorian,” Ms Rahming said. “Post Hurricane Dorian, we still have two shelters open, and those persons have still answered the national call to provide social assistance to those persons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is truly good to know that their efforts are appreciated because very often you hear such negative comments and persons do not appreciate that we are working with what we have as best as we are able.”

Ms Rahming made this promise: “I will say to you here present today, and to the general public at-large, that change is coming to Social Services. It’s happening incrementally, but we want you to keep your eyes on us in the future because we intend to deliver.”

PAGE 8, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Why do black people have to keep explaining racism?

FRONT PORCH

BY SIMON

A YOUNG black Jesuit priest in the United States is depressed and frustrated.

He lives in an overwhelmingly white religious community and works in overwhelmingly white institutions. He is exhausted with having to constantly explain to white colleagues and friends the legacy of racism he and other blacks endure day after day.

“Why?”, he demands plaintively, does he have to explain the entrenched racism and its effects to those who have benefitted from white privilege and white supremacy, including members of the Jesuit order in the United States, which once owned slaves and

benefitted from the slave trade.

Why does the family of George Floyd and black America have to explain to white America the pernicious legacy of racism which led to a white police officer suffocating a black man with his knee with brutal lethality 157 years after the so-called emancipation of slaves?

Legal Defence Fund President Sherrilyn Ifill described Floyd as being killed with, “excruciating deliberation”.

Last week, a dear older white friend in her late 70s who lives in New York State, not far from the infamous Sing Sing

MEMBERS of the Yates High School championship football team in Houston speak during a candlelight vigil for George Floyd

Correctional Facility, participated in a memorial for George Floyd and other victims of racism.

Along with others she knelt for eight minutes and forty-six seconds, the suffocating amount of time that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck. She felt physical pain in her older knees, a very slight and passing glimmer of the pain felt by Floyd.

Following the killing of Floyd and other high-profile killing of black Americans by police and civilians in the past few months, black people around the world have found themselves yet again reciting for whites the brutal legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, slavery by other names and forced labour after emancipation, and the cancerous racism which engulfs and sickens America.

A perennially offensive question is: “Why are black people so angry?” A former activist had to explain to a white Irish American priest his outrage about the legacy of slavery and white supremacy in The Bahamas when the latter expressed concern at how angry was the young black man fighting for racial equality in his country.

Privileged Even a number of black people, including some of the privileged black bourgeois in America and The Bahamas, do not grasp the evil of racism upon which America lives and moves and has its being.

Many black and white Bahamians do not understand the racial history of America, often parroting the racial prejudice and insipid memes and lies of white supremacy. Some of these are the “special blacks” who feel that they have been accepted into certain bastions of white privilege and who often lap up being told how well they speak and how smart they are.

One particularly nauseating response to the Floyd killing is those who complain that he was a “thug” and reportedly had prior criminal convictions.

Does this justify his killing or devalue the ferocious response to his death?

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, also often grew exasperated by whites asking him to explain aspects of racism of which the questioners benefitted but refused to or could not see.

In a speech entitled, “The Other America”, King articulated the diabolical legacy of whites having had their knees and institutions on the necks, bodies and souls of black people from the inception of the white supremacist enterprise of the United States: “I remember the other day I was on a plane and a man starting talking with me and he said, ‘I’m sympathetic toward what you’re trying to do, but I just feel that you people don’t do enough for yourself.’

“And then he went on to say that, ‘My problem is, my concern is that I know of other ethnic groups, many of the ethnic groups that came to this country and they had problems just as Negroes and yet they did

the job for themselves, they lifted themselves by their own bootstraps. Why is it that Negroes can’t do that?’

“And I looked at him and I tried to talk as understanding as possible but I said to him, it does not help the Negro for unfeeling, sensitive white people to say that other ethnic groups that came to the country maybe 150 years ago voluntarily have gotten ahead of them and he was brought here in chains involuntarily almost 350 ago.”

Dr. King continued: I said ‘It doesn’t help him to be told that’, and then I went on to say to this gentleman that he failed to recognise that no other ethnic group has been enslaved on American soil. Then I had to go on to say to him that, ‘You failed to realise that America made the black man’s colour a stigma’.”

Explanations A good number of white people who ask for socalled explanations as to what is going on, know full well the bounty of white privilege they enjoy. The calls for explanations are oftentimes self-serving, condescending, an attempt to placate and a denial of responsibility for the attitudes and structures which dominate blacks.

Amy Cooper, the white woman in Central Park who called the police on the black bird-watcher Christian Cooper after he asked her to leash her cocker spaniel understood all too well the power of her white privilege.

In a video of the incident posted by Christian Cooper on Facebook, Amy Cooper said calmly and deliberately: “I’m taking a picture and calling the cops … I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life.” Imagine if the black man’s dog was unleashed and threatening her. The meme would have been: “These black people can’t obey the rules.”

In his “The Other America” sermon King further explained some of the economic basis of inequality: “While white America refused to do anything for the black man at this point, during that very period, the nation, through an act of Congress, was giving away millions of acres of land in the west and midwest, which meant that it was willing to undergird its white peasants from Europe with an economic floor.

“Not only did they give the land, they built land grant colleges for them to learn how to farm. Not only that, it provided county

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR

agents to further their expertise in farming and went beyond this and came to the point of providing low interest rates for these persons so that they could mechanise their farms, and today many of these persons are being paid millions of dollars a year in federal subsidies not to farm and these are so often the very people saying to the black man that he must lift himself by his own bootstraps. …

“Senator Eastland, incidentally, who says this all the time, gets a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars a year, not to farm on various areas of his plantation down in Mississippi.

And yet he feels that we must do everything for ourselves. Well, that appears to me to be a kind of socialism for the rich and rugged hard individualistic capitalism for the poor.”

Kaepernick Just as other civil rights activists have had to explain throughout American history, today’s activists like NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick are still explaining, denouncing and articulating to America that racism still rages in America.

He was often viciously attacked verbally, including by Donald Trump, who called him, “a son of a bitch”. He was pilloried by many white players and Americans and sidelined by the League because, during the playing of the U.S. National Anthem, he protested against racial inequality and police brutality.

Kaepernick endured the threadbare excuses of aggressive indifference and protected privilege: he was told he was too radical and unpatriotic, that change takes time, that things weren’t so bad in America.

The NFL has now seen the light in the wake of protests, including by many whites, which has caught the League off-guard as it plays catch up, no doubt out of self-interest and monetary considerations.

The white British anonymous artist and political activist Banksy recently wrote in response to the global protests in the wake of Floyd’s killing: “I thought I should just shut up and listen to black people about this issue. But why would I do that? It’s not their problem, it’s mine.

“People of colour are being failed by the system.

The white system. Like a broken pipe flooding the apartment of the people living downstairs.

The faulty system is making their life a misery, but it’s not their job to fix it. They can’t, no one will let them in the apartment upstairs.

“This is a white problem.

And if white people don’t fix it, someone will have to come upstairs and kick the door in.”

Meaningful change will only prevail if many more white people stopped asking for explanations about the brutality of white supremacy and start to understand and acknowledge the pervasive racism which still haunts America and the world, and that they must join wholeheartedly in the struggle to dismantle this historic evil.

THE TRIBUNE

I

T’S early on a weekend morning in downtown Washington DC in the time of the coronavirus and Black Lives Matter. A light north breeze carries away some of the deepening humidity and rising air temperature, but summer has totally arrived in America’s capital city and everyone on the streets feels it.

Normally, Washington’s parks and sidewalks would be thronged with tourists, families mostly, black and white, Latino, European and Asian. But on this morning, streets and parks in every direction from the White House are blocked off to all but law enforcement vehicles and personnel. The thoroughfares are completely devoid of cars except for the occasional US Secret Service sedan or DC police utility vehicle. DC cops, US park police and “DEA police” are the principal identifiable law enforcement officials on the streets.

The broad, 20-block perimeter area surrounding the White House is mostly unnaturally, even eerily quiet on this clear summer morning. The predominant sounds are birds courting and squalling in the trees and the whoosh of bicycle tyres rolling along the heating asphalt of the city streets.

Joggers run by, hoping to finish before it gets too hot.

No police sirens shatter the calm, at least not this early in the day. Maybe that will come later.

One place it’s not quiet is on the north side of Lafayette Park, at the intersection where 16th St dead ends into H St. and the curious can peer across the leafy park to have a look at the front entrance to the White House. Here, even at 8.0 in the morning, a crowd is gathering. Almost everyone is wearing a mask. The mood is sombre and almost festive at the same time.

There are families with little kids in the growing crowd. Some protesters are ready with their signs and message t-shirts and banners. Several earnest 20-year-olds are intently weaving brightly coloured letters spelling Ban Stop and Frisk into the black links of the barrier fencing off the park. A couple of medical school interns extended signs far above their heads so everyone would see White Coats for Black Lives. A stooped white man’s sign said Trump Mocks Christ.

Several people wore shirts proclaiming that Revolution is not a One Time Event.

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 9

On the streets of a standoff at the heart of the nation STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

A man stood in the middle of the street with his quiet potcake dog who wore a sign inviting the authorities to Bring on Your Vicious Dogs. The man and his dog were favourites of print and TV reporters and their photographers.

Protesters moved slowly up and down the two blocks of 16th St. designated Black Lives Matter Plaza by DC mayor Muriel Bowser late last week. To ensure no one can miss the name change, Black Lives Matter is spelled out in giant yellow block letters that extend for the entire two city blocks.

You’ve probably seen it on TV. Vendors are already set up to sell bottled water and souvenir t-shirts.

Bowser, who was born just before Richard Nixon was sworn in for his fateful second term as President and has been DC’s mayor for five years, has become more sure-footed and decisive as the current crisis continues. Her clear, resolute, even defiant push back against President Trump’s attempts to co-opt and possibly take over law enforcement in the District of Columbia has revived calls for statehood for the District, whose population exceeds that of Wyoming and Vermont.

On Washington’s central streets, access to Lafayette and Maurice Ferre Parks, the Ellipse behind the White House and “the people’s house” itself is cut off by heavy gauge steel barriers fastened together with steel bolts and standing eight feet high. Protesters did manage to get behind barriers to decorate a small panel on the east side of the US Treasury headquarters

IN ONE HOUSE AT LEAST, DEMOCRATS LOOK TO BE TIGHTENING THEIR GRIP THERE has been much talk in the media about what will happen November 3 in Senate races across the country, and if the US will see Democrats regain control of the Upper House. There has been much less speculation about the House of Representatives, where the Democrats currently enjoy a 17-seat advantage after their 2018 landslide victory.

In that triumph two years ago, Democratic candidates won the total national vote in all House elections by a whopping eight percentage points. Most polling so far this year has indicated the Democrats may be expanding that advantage.

A June Monmouth public opinion poll cited by news media shows Democrats with an overall ten-point advantage.

While President Trump’s central campaign presently enjoys a big financial edge over Democratic opponent Joe Biden, in key House races the picture is different. A political research firm called the Cook Political Report found that in highly competitive contests where Democrats hold seats in districts won easily in 2016 by Trump, the incumbent Democrats have on average raised more than six times more money than their Republican opponents.

The Washington Post

JOE BIDEN cited one example that typifies Republican problems for November. In a Salt Lake City, Utah district carried easily by Trump in 2016, Democrat Ben McAdams unseated a Republican two years later.

Now, after a popular GOP state senator backed out of a challenge to McAdams, the remaining Republican candidate recently reported about $115,000 in his campaign account. McAdams had $2.2 million on hand to defend his seat.

Making a bad picture worse for House Republicans is the fact some of this polling and reporting was done before the coronavirus really took hold and sent unemployment levels to record high levels.

However much the President may benefit from economic recovery between now and an election less than five months away, the conventional wisdom is clear: The Democrats will continue to control the US House of Representatives.

building with some profane graffiti, but damage around the White House was otherwise limited.

Almost every restaurant, hotel and commercial establishment has boarded up its ground floor windows and St. John’s Episcopal Church, the fire-damaged site of Trump’s infamous photo op with the Bible and military leaders, has secured its second-floor windows as well.

Imbedded in the sidewalk on 15th St. in front of highpriced hotels are medallions celebrating the founders of Goodwill Industries, Easter Seals, Lions Club, Habitat for Hum and Girls Clubs and the Red Cross. Also commemorated is Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International. His was the only medallion defaced in the protests. “Probably racist” was painted across the bottom of his memorial.

Famous establishments like the Old Ebbitt Grill, the oldest restaurant still operating in DC, and the Washington franchise of Joe’s Stone Crab both displayed prominent Black Lives Matter banners across the plywood protecting their front windows against looting and vandalism.

Crowds gathered around the north side of Lafayette Park through the day, eventually swelling to an estimated 10,000 peaceful protesters. It was the largest demonstration so far in Washington. There were signs that the protesters might have ignited irreversible resistance to what increasingly seems like not only unacceptable police misconduct but presidential indifference to the nation’s interests and well-being.

PROTESTERS near the White House in Washington over the weekend The crowd near the White House was joined at one point by Utah Senator and 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump in the Senate impeachment hearings six months ago. Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski publicly fretted about Trump’s behaviour, and supported former Defence Secretary Jim Mattis’ blistering denunciation of Trump.

Mattis, a former Marine Corps 4-star general born in 1950, said: “Donald Trump

is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people.

Instead, he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without Trump. This will not be easy, but we owe it to past generations that bled to defend our promise and to our children.”

Former Secretary of State and 4-star Army General Colin Powell, an avowed Republican, announced on Sunday he

would vote for Biden and urged others to “put country above self-interest” and do the same.

George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police less than three weeks ago, though it somehow seems like much more time has passed. The national outrage has touched the top levels of the Pentagon, the National Football League, the US Senate and tens of millions of Americans at home and abroad.

It does feel like Mr Floyd’s death might indeed bring about change.

PAGE 10, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Library transformation

GN-2399

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE only public lending library on Grand Bahama that was severely damaged

by Dorian is undergoing restoration, thanks to funds provided in excess of $250,000 from the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited.

The Sir Charles Hayward Library sustained flooding, which damaged the building’s interior and destroyed its contents, including 8,000 books, among other things.

The money will assist with rebuilding, including mucking and gutting, renovation of the entire interior infrastructure, replacement of computer equipment, books, and other supplies.

The library has already undergone some renovation, however there is still significant amount of work left to be completed, including replacing all the aluminium windows and entrance doors.

Mrs Geneva Rutherford, Executive Director of the Sir Charles Hayward Library, said restoration began last October until its closure on March 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful to the GBPA for all they do for us and, by extension, the Freeport community. We wouldn’t exist without them. We’re also supported by a committed board, and by some of our island’s largest businesses. We’re thankful for their partnership as well,” she said.

Deann Seymour, Chief Financial Officer of GBPA, said they are pleased to assist with the restoration.

“In addition, we provide ongoing building and grounds maintenance, and assist with the Library’s bills to ensure the facility can

continue to serve our community,” she added.

The library is a landmark in Freeport and has been recognised numerous times by the Smithsonian.

It was originally named after Mr. John Harvard, of Harvard University, and subsequently renamed Sir Charles Hayward Library, as it was under the GBPA’s patronage.

Mrs Rutherford said the library has played an integral part in the community, hosting school groups for lectures, field trips and research. She said it also provides services to adults on a walk-in basis who are looking for help with typing or copying. “It’s heartbreaking not to be able to be there for our community, and we are very much looking forward to reopening and serving the children and adults of Grand Bahama once again,” she said.

Sarah St George, GBPA’s acting chairman said: “The library is one of the hallmarks of Freeport and cherished by children and adults alike. It provides important services to our schools and communities, and we must do what is necessary to get it back on its feet and operational again.

“There is still much to be done with the completion of repairs, ordering, cataloguing and stocking new books, as well as readying the space for COVID-19 protocols. Mrs Rutherford and the library team are doing a fantastic job putting everything back together, as every single book had to be moved and wiped down, which is no easy task. With the support of their Board and Partners, GBPA will do what’s necessary to reinstate the facility’s services, and help return a sense of normalcy to Freeport’s children and families,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 11

Stop the pain, George Floyd’s brother pleads WASHINGTON Associated Press PHILONISE Floyd yesterday challenged Congress to “stop the pain” as lawmakers consider a sweeping law enforcement overhaul, so his brother George won’t be just “another name” on a growing list of black Americans killed during interactions with police.

Floyd’s appearance before a House hearing came a day after funeral services for George Floyd, the 46-year-old Minnesota man whose death has become a worldwide symbol in demonstrations over calls for changes to police practices and an end to racial prejudices.

“I’m here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain,” Philonise Floyd told the silenced hearing room.

Choking back tears, he said he wants to make sure that his brother, whom he called “Perry,” is “more than another face on a t-shirt, more than another

name on a list that won’t stop growing.”

Floyd challenged lawmakers, “Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs. Do the right thing.”

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler gaveled in the session, many lawmakers and witnesses masked during the COVID-19 outbreak, as Democrats review the Justice in Policing Act, a far-ranging package of proposals amid a national debate on policing and racial inequity.

Lawmakers also heard testimony from civil rights and law enforcement leaders as Congress considers the changes to police practices and accountability after Floyd’s death in police custody and the mass protests that followed.

“Today we answer their call,” Nadler said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi watched from the hearing audience, and the House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy also joined.

Republicans are

criticising activists who want to “defund the police” -- a catch-all term for shifting law enforcement resources — though the Democratic bill does not call for that.

President Trump and allies have seized on the word to portray Democrats as extreme as GOP lawmakers rush to come up with their own proposals. “The American people understand that it’s time for a real discussion,” said Rep. Jim Jordan.

But he said what they also understand is that “it is pure insanity to defund the police.”

The Democrats’ legislation would create a national database of police misconduct, ban police choke holds and loosen “qualified immunity” to make it easier for those injured to seek damages in lawsuits.

The proposals don’t go as far as some activists want to defund police departments for other community services. They do, however, make available grant money for states to reimagine ways of policing.

VIVIEN Leigh and Hattie McDaniel in Gone With the Wind NEW YORK Associated Press HBO Max has temporarily removed Gone With the Wind from its streaming library in order to add historical context to the 1939 film long criticised for romanticising slavery and the Civil War-era South.

Protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death have forced entertainment companies to grapple with the appropriateness of both current and past productions. In a statement, the AT&T-owned WarnerMedia, which owns HBO Max, called Gone With the Wind “a product of its time” that depicts racial prejudices.

“These racist depictions were wrong then and are

GONE WITH THE WIND REMOVED FROM HBO wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible,” said an HBO Max spokesman in a statement.

The company said that when the film returns, it will include “historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions, but will be presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as

claiming these prejudices never existed.”

Gone With the Wind has long been denounced for featuring slave characters who remain loyal to their former owners after the abolition of slavery. It remains the highest-grossing film of all time when adjusted for inflation. It won eight Academy Awards including best picture and best supporting actress for Hattie McDaniel, the first black actress to be nominated or win an Oscar.

TRUMP: NO CHANGE AT BASES NAMED AFTER CONFEDERATE OFFICERS WASHINGTON Associated Press

President Donald Trump yesterday said his administration will “not even consider” changing the name of any of the 10 Army bases that are named for Confederate Army officers. Two days earlier, Defense Secretary Mark Esper indicated that he was open to a broad discussion of such changes.

“These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part

of a Great American Heritage, a history of Winning, Victory, and Freedom,” Trump wrote. “The United States of America trained and deployed our HEROES on these Hallowed Grounds, and won two World Wars. Therefore, my Administration will not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations.”

Name changes have not been proposed by the Army or the Pentagon, but on Monday, Esper and

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy indicated in response to questions from reporters that they were “open to a bipartisan discussion” of renaming bases such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Benning in Georgia.

Supporters of disassociating military bases from Confederate Army officers argue that they represent the racism and divisiveness of the Civil War era and glorify men who fought against the United States.

To amplify Trump’s view, his press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, read his tweets to reporters in the White House briefing room. She said he is “fervently” opposed to changing the base names and believes that doing so would amount to “complete disrespect” for soldiers who trained there over the years.

The possibility of renaming the bases, McEnany said, is “an absolute non-starter” for Trump.

If Congress were to pass

legislation requiring name changes, he would not sign it, she said.

The US military recently began rethinking its traditional connection to Confederate Army symbols, including the Army base names. The Navy and the Marine Corps are now banning public displays of the Confederate Army battle flag on their installations, casting their decision as necessary to preserve cohesion within the ranks.

PAGE 12, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Raptors still have decisions to make before NBA restarts

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer THE Toronto Raptors have an NBA championship to defend, a very long stay at the Disney complex awaiting them and plenty of unanswered questions on how the restart of the season will work.

As the NBA’s lone Canadian team, there’s an added complexity: The United States border.

Raptors coach Nick Nurse said Tuesday that his team is still working through various scenarios for having workouts before heading to Disney World near Orlando, Florida along with 21 other teams next month for the restart of the season.

Teams are expected at Disney around July 7, though the expectation is that the league will permit practices before that date.

“We haven’t really made a final decision on it on a date to reconvene, or where we’re going, or any of that kind of stuff yet,” Nurse said in a call with Toronto media.

“We’ve made plans on both sides of the border, just for doing it as safe as possible. It’s kind of our first and foremost priority — then maybe as quickly as possible, too.”

For the Raptors, the issue of how to proceed largely stems from Canadian government regulations currently in place that call for a 14-day quarantine for people returning to Canada.

Some Raptors players are in Toronto right now; some are in the US. Getting those players from Canada — or other countries — into the US is a process streamlined somewhat by an order signed last month by

ALDRIDGE OUT FOR SEASON AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer SEVEN-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge will miss the remainder of San Antonio’s season while he recovers from surgery on his right shoulder, a major blow to the Spurs’ postseason chances, assuming the season continues as planned.

The Spurs announced Monday that Aldridge had the surgery on April 24, stemming from an injury he suffered in a game at Utah on February 21.

San Antonio is one of the 22 teams will that report to the ESPN Wide Wide Of Sports complex at the Disney campus near Orlando, Florida, starting next month, when the NBA plans to resume its season.

The Spurs have been to the playoffs in 22 consecutive seasons, matching the longest streak in NBA history.

When play resumes, the Spurs will be among four teams — the others being Portland, New Orleans and Sacramento — that are all separated by a half-game in the race for ninth place in the Western Conference and potentially a berth in a play-in series. The gap between those four teams is .010 percentage points.

Aldridge played in two more games after getting hurt, including one on March 10, when he scored 24 points in the Spurs’ win over Dallas. The NBA suspended its season the following day because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Aldridge turns 35 next month. He finished this season averaging 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

GASOL: RETURN TO LAKERS OR BARCELONA WOULD BE ‘ATTRACTIVE’

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

TORONTO Raptors coach Nick Nurse, centre, gathers his team during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C. on January 8. The Raptors have an NBA championship to defend, a very long stay at the Disney complex awaiting them and plenty of unanswered questions on how the restart of the season will work.

(AP Photo/Nell Redmond) Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf, one that provided the exemption for professional athletes from rules put in place during the pandemic that would have otherwise barred their entry into the US. “We’ve still got a few options that we’re looking at,” Nurse said.

The NBA hasn’t released many details of the plan for how things will work at Disney yet, with many items still being worked out

in talks with the National Basketball Players Association and other entities.

What is known, however, is a tentative schedule where teams arrive in early July, play begins in late July and Game 7 of the NBA Finals could be as late as October 12.

That means a team, if it makes the title series, could spend nearly 100 days at Disney before going home.

And if the Raptors choose to have a training camp in the US

beforehand, that would obviously add a few more days to their away-fromhome total.

Nurse said he thinks the NBA is giving teams enough time to get ready between practice and the likelihood of a couple of scrimmages before the games — seedaing games, the NBA is calling them, though they will factor into the regular season standings — finally begin again.

Teams have not played since the NBA suspended

the season March 11 because of coronavirus concerns.

“We still don’t quite have all the information, but that’s getting closer,” Nurse said.

“Day by day, it gets closer, and then we’ll make a final decision. We’ll have to do a lot of things, as you guys might guess.

We’ll have to do some testing right away. Before we make any moves, we’ll have to get a lot of things in place.”

Hornets view not playing in Orlando as ‘major disadvantage’

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets won’t be among the 22 teams headed to Orlando when the NBA season returns — and that has coach James Borrego concerned about his young, developing team falling behind the rest of the league.

“It is a disadvantage? Yeah, it could be a major disadvantage,” Borrego said.

The Hornets, who are owned by Michael Jordan, are one of eight teams awaiting guidance from the league on what they’ll be allowed to do on their own while other teams resume play at the Disney sports complex on July 31. The layoff means Hornets players could go more than eight months between playing in meaningful games after the league shut down in March following the coronavirus outbreak.

That’s troublesome for Borrego, who felt like his team was playing its best basketball at the end of last season and was eager to reconvene in Orlando and continue that development.

Charlotte finished the season 23-42 and in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, but made steady progress throughout the season and was competing with some of the better teams in the league despite a young roster that includes two rookie starters.

“As an organization, we would like a similar time frame as to what they’re getting in Orlando,” Borrego said. “The amount of time these teams are spending (together) as a unit, we believe that we should have the same. I believe that would level the playing field a little bit more.”

Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak agreed with his coach.

Kupchak has been in regular contact with the other seven GMs of teams not in the playoff picture and said they’re trying to “brainstorm” about alternative options that would allow them to continue to develop players.

He said the league has expressed a willingness to work with those teams to find a resolution. “If (the teams in Orlando) are getting five or six weeks together, wouldn’t it be great if we could get six weeks

MADRID (AP) — Pau Gasol wants to return to the NBA next season but hasn’t ruled out finishing his career in Europe.

The 39-year-old Gasol said Tuesday he needs to be playing next season to give himself “a chance” of making it to the Olympics one last time.

The Spaniard said he is keeping his options open but going back to the Los Angeles Lakers would be an “attractive” option, as would be returning to a club like Barcelona in Spain. He said a decision on his future will likely have to be made in September or October.

Gasol, a three-time Olympic medallist with Spain, has been out of action for more than a year because of a foot injury.

He said the coronavirus pandemic has slowed his recovery process, but that was not necessarily a bad thing. “I’m feeling good.

I’ve had more time to recover,” he was quoted as saying by Spanish media.

Gasol won two NBA titles while playing for the Lakers, where he stayed from 2008-14. He started his professional career with his home team in Barcelona, where he played from 1998-2001. He also played for the Grizzlies, the Bulls, the Spurs and the Bucks.

“My intention is to play another season if the foot is OK, either in the NBA or in Europe,” he said. “A final season with the Lakers is attractive, finishing at Barça is attractive, but you have to see the real possibilities and see what situation would be best for the circumstances of the moment.”

MICHAEL JORDAN’S BOAT NABS 442POUND MARLIN

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

SAN Antonio Spurs centre Pau Gasol (16) shoots past New Orleans Pelicans centre Jahlil Okafor (8), forward Wesley Johnson (33) and guard Kenrich Williams (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio on February 2, 2019. Pau Gasol wants to return to the NBA but does not rule out going back to Europe for his retirement.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) with our team in some kind of a formal structure where they continue to work on their skills?”

Kupchak said. “... To have a little more structure would be great.”

Kupchak said among the ideas that have been discussed between the GMs is players being allowed to participate in 5-on-5 games, and possibly even scrimmaging against the other teams not invited to Orlando.

He likes that idea if if can be safely done. “The most important thing is can we get to a place where whatever the teams in Orlando are doing to feel safe that we are to be able to do the same thing? Nothing lower, because the players would know the standards in Charlotte are not up to snuff with the standards in Orlando,” Kupchak said.

Borrego is trying to stay positive through it all — and take advantage of this time. “I have to find creative ways to push this thing forward and really use it as an opportunity,” Borrego said.

“This could be a jump start to next season. While those teams that are playing in Orlando, the teams we’re chasing, this is an

opportunity to catch them and use this as an opportunity to get better.

That is our goal.”

Some other topics the coach and general manager addressed Monday on video conference call: CHARLOTTE NOT A DESTINATION Don’t expect the Hornets to go after any big-name free agents in the offseason.

Kupchak was realistic about Charlotte’s status in the league when it comes to attracting potential free agents, saying “I don’t think we are a premier destination.” That said, Kuchak believes the Hornets are getting closer, adding “I feel like we are getting there. Maybe a year or two away.”

BORREGO ENDORSEMENT Kupchak gave Borrego a strong endorsement as the team’s coach, saying the second-year coach has made good decisions while developing a young roster. The Hornets were 39-43 two years ago with Kemba Walker but essentially had to start over last season after losing their only All-Star to the Celtics.

APPARENTLY, Michael Jordan is pretty good at fishing, too.

The six-time NBA champion and the crew of his 80-foot fishing boat named “Catch 23” hauled in a 442.3-pound blue marlin on Tuesday at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, an event held annually off the coast of Morehead City, North Carolina, that attracts anglers from across the world.

It’s the sixth-largest marlin caught so far during the tournament, which boasts a $3.3 million overall purse.

Jordan’s boat had been in fifth place until a boat came in later Tuesday with a 450pound blue marlin.

The fish wasn’t big enough to place in the top three, so it is not eligible for prize money.

But Jordan and his crew still have two more days to catch a bigger marlin and collect some prize money. The leading blue marlin weighed in at 494.2 pounds.

Jordan looked on with smiles as the boat docked and workers hoisted the fish to be weighed on shore. The owner of the Charlotte Hornets later posed for pictures with the rest of his crew alongside the marlin as onlookers cheered and asked for autographs.

“I would love to be back with a little bit bigger fish,” Jordan said in a brief interview posted on the tournament’s Facebook page.

The tournament pays out for the three largest blue marlins boated with the winner taking home $1.1 million for the largest fish.

There is also a $550,000 prize for the first boat to land a 500-pound blue marlin.

The six-day tournament runs through Saturday and features 205 boats from around the world. The Big Rock tournament began in 1957.

“Even though I didn’t win, right now, today, I’d like to thank everyone for supporting the tournament,” Jordan said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 13

Manfred says ‘100 per cent’ chance of MLB season, new proposal soon

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there is a “100%” chance of big league ball this year.

Major League Baseball will make another proposal to start the pandemic-delayed season in empty ballparks, but Manfred vowed Wednesday to unilaterally order opening day if an agreement is not reached.

“I can tell you unequivocally we are going to play Major League Baseball this year,” he said.

Manfred insisted the chance of playing this year was “100%.”

The players’ association made its second proposal Tuesday, asking for an 89-game regular season and 100% of prorated salaries.

MLB’s plan a day earlier was for a 76-game season, would guarantee 50% of prorated salaries and hinge 25% in additional money on the postseason’s completion.

“It will be a another significant move in the players’ direction in terms of the salary issue that has kept us apart,” Manfred said during an interview with ESPN before that network’s coverage of the amateur draft.

“We’re hopeful that it will produce reciprocal movement from the players’ association, that we’ll see a number other than 100 per

BASEBALL commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the media at the owners meeting in Arlington, Texas, on November 21, 2019.

(AP Photo/LM Otero) cent on salary and some recognition that 89 games, given where we are in the calendar in the course of the pandemic is not realistic,” he said.

MLB has threatened a shorter schedule if players insist on 100% of their prorated salaries. The union likely would file a grievance, contending a longer schedule was economically feasible and asking arbitrator Mark Irvings to award damages.

There has not been a big league schedule of fewer than 80 games

since 1879. Both MLB and the union have proposed expanding the playoffs from 10 teams to as many as 16 this year and next, but that enlarged postseason is contingent on a deal.

“I would prefer to negotiate a new agreement with the MLBPA that gets us more games and resolves the issues that have separated us amicably,” Manfred said.

“But at the end of the day, we negotiated for the right in March to start the season on a number of games that we select in these

particular circumstances. And if we have to, we’ll exercise that right.”

A March 26 agreement called for prorated salaries in exchange for $170 million in salary advances and a guarantee of service time even if no games were played.

Manfred wouldn’t divulge when he would order a shorter schedule.

MLB initially proposed 82 games and the union responded with 114.

While players want to extend the postseason deep into November, teams fear a second wave of the coronavirus would jeopardize the postseason. The playoffs alone generate $787 million in broadcast revenue — before selling any games caused by an expansion.

“Each and every day that goes by, we lose the capacity to play at least one game, and that’s really the time pressure that’s significant at this point in time,” Manfred said.

The players’ association declined to comment on Manfred’s remarks.

MLB claims each additional regular-season game in empty ballparks causes a $640,000 loss because 40% of revenue is tied to gate. The union has disputed MLB’s figures but claims it has not been given the data it needs to make a full evaluation.

Manfred told MLB Network the sides were “very, very close” to agreement on health protocols.

BAHAMAS RESIDENT TO COMPETE IN FIRST VIRTUAL BOAT RACE FROM PAGE 16

Participant rowers of all abilities will be filmed while racing on ergometers in their homes across the world, and Sophie will join the crew with the promise of providing fun while raising funds for a great cause.

The race will be available to watch online at Power2Inspire’s Give as You Live page at 3pm BST – with an option for viewers to donate to the charity – and experience the thrill of watching these fantastic oarspeople compete in a virtual sporting event.

Rowers, including World champion Oliver Cook, Rio Paralympic Champion Grace Clough, Olympic Triple Gold Medallist Pete Reed, Australian para rower Renae Domaschenz and Gold Medallist Tom Ransley, will all race from their homes across the world.

Garry Herbert and Martin Cross – of the BBC – will be providing commentary of the event, in what promises to be a high action, inclusive sporting occasion online.

The two teams, named Oxford and Cambridge, will be made up of eight rowers each, with ablebodied, disabled, lightweight and openweight participants. The rowers will be racing on ergometers in their homes across the world, with Jan Ole Ernst in Germany, Renae Domaschenz in Australia, Sophie Paine in the Bahamas, and the remaining team members in the UK. Sophie Paine, representing Cambridge in the MCH.London virtual boat race said: “Being involved in this virtual boat race is something completely different and really enjoyable to be part of. Especially at a time when we can’t currently train or race with each other in real life. The power of inclusivity that the virtual event will bring is something we hope to experience in person soon, and encourage people of all abilities and backgrounds to get involved in sports.”

World Champion rower, Oliver Cook, representing Oxford in the MCH.London virtual boat race

said: “The opportunity to compete with, and against, such skilled oarspeople, while also raising awareness of the need for more inclusivity in sports was something I couldn’t turn down. This virtual boat race is what we all need in times like these, and I hope the viewers at home enjoy it as much as we will, and if they can, donate to the great cause behind it.”

MCH London, the responsible advertising agency with positive human impact at the heart of its services, is sponsoring the first virtual boat race to provide support to help raise funds for the development of Power2Inspire’s University PowerHouseGames.

These games bring together university sports clubs with students from a state, independent and special needs schools to unite individuals of all abilities through sport.

Mark C Howarth, Founder & Managing Director, MCH London said: “When we heard about the plan to arrange an inclusive virtual

BURROWS from PAGE 16 sports, civic and youth organisations were reduced by $60,000.00 from $300,000 to $240,000.00.”

During his tenure in the Senate, Burrows also served as chairman of the Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority. As a founding member of the FFBL, Burrows has seen it grow into one of the most populated youth sporting organisations in the country which features hundreds of students athletes on an annual basis and its alumni includes several minor league baseball prospects. He questioned what he called the “human cost” of the budget cuts.

“There is an urgent need to do more, not less, for our youth if we are to properly prepare them to confidently and competently receive the baton of leader of this country to continue its sustained growth and development. Essentially, this necessary preparation was one of the principal reasons for the establishment of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. The Progressive Liberal Party maintains that sports and culture have the potential to become significant pillars and engines of our economy as major components of our tourism product offerings,” Burrows said. “Our youth and sports development thrust during our last term in office - branded sports in paradise - laid a solid foundation and blueprint for the way forward in building this important industry.

The PLP pledges upon assuming office to continue the programme ‘Sports in Paradise.’

Additionally, we pledge to substantially support sporting organisations, our athletes and to prioritise youth and sports development as central, critical and strategic to our future growth and development.”

The Tribune previously reported highlights of portions of the budget that will affect local sports. Subventions to elite athletes will be dropped from $1,346,150 to $1,076,920, but it’s not known how many athletes will be affected going into the preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, which has been postponed until 2021.

In addition, aid to student athletes will be reduced from $142,500 last year to about $110,000, although there is no indication as to who and how many athletes fall into this category.

Further to the list, there is a National Endowment for Sports, pegged at $795,000, reduced from $1,632,000 last year, among others.

boat race we had to get involved and provide our support to the event. Not only will it let everyone watching at home enjoy a new format of sport, it will hopefully help break down barriers, and above all, support the number one Power2Inspire rule - to have fun!”

The rowers will compete on ergometers, rowing a collective distance of 6,838km. The first two boats will start, crossing a finish line at 500 metres, then the second boats will start, and this will continue until all eight sets of boats have taken part. A final time will be recorded to determine which team has won the race.

The full team line-ups are: Oxford: Amelia Standing, Pete Reed, Grace Clough, Oliver Cook, Jan Ole Ernst, Martha Birtles, Alex Bebb and Amy Hosking.

Cambridge: Jan Helmich, Freddie Markanday, Sophie Paine, Pippa Whittaker, Renae Domaschenz, Tom Ransley, Miranda Clements and Ollie Parish.

US athletes Tommie Smith, centre, and John Carlos raise their gloved fists after Smith received the gold and Carlos the bronze for the 200 metre run at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City, on October 16, 1968.

IOC TO OPEN TALKS ABOUT EASING PROTEST BAN AT OLYMPICS

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Amid a global wave of demonstrations against racism, the IOC said yesterday it would open talks that could let athletes make stronger protests at the Olympic Games.

Only five months ago the Olympic body strengthened its ban on political statements by specifying that gestures such as taking a knee or raising a fist on a medal podium remain prohibited.

But the IOC’s public stance eased slightly on Wednesday when its president Thomas Bach said the in-house athlete committee would “explore different ways” opinions could be expressed during the games — while still “respecting the Olympic spirit.”

“The Olympic aims are a very powerful global demonstration against racism and for inclusivity,” Bach said at a news conference after an executive board meeting. Still, he sought to separate “support

for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter and potentially divisive demonstrations.”

The current rule 50 of the charter tries to uphold political neutrality for the Olympics but allows athletes to express opinions in interviews after their events.

However, gestures made on the field of play or at medal ceremonies were classed in January as “divisive disruption.”

According to the current stance, athletes copying the iconic raised fist salutes by American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics could still be sent home from the Olympics. They also would face disciplinary action by their national Olympic team, their sport’s governing body, and the IOC. It was unclear if the new talks could lead to those kinds of gestures being tolerated in the future.

Bach twice referred to “dignified” gestures, but wouldn’t

specify what he wants to see from the upcoming talks.

“I will not preempt in any way these consultations,” Bach said.

No details or timescale were given for the process.

Bach added that the process would be led by the athletes panel that includes IOC members elected by their peers, and other persons who are appointed.

The panel led by Kirsty Coventry, an Olympic gold medallist swimmer from Zimbabwe, has typically followed the views of the Bach-chaired IOC board of which she is a member.

A push by activist athletes worldwide for the IOC to relax an Olympic charter rule limiting their commercial opportunities during the games has broadly been resisted by Coventry’s group.

“I really think the athletes’ commission is taking the pulse of the opinions of the athletes and is reflecting very well the opinion of the majority of the athletes,” Bach said.

TOKYO OLYMPICS TALK OF SIMPLIFYING, BUT NO SPECIFICS SO FAR FROM PAGE 16 “We have not gone to the level or stage where we have complete ideas about what we can do in simplifying the games,” Muto said.

Items rumoured for cuts or reductions include the torch relay, and perhaps combining the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Muto, a former deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, also declined to give numbers about the cost of the delay, or any savings from cuts or downsizing.

“I don’t think the current situation warrants us to give you exact numbers to your question — how much budget and how much can be reduced due to simplification,” he said.

Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organising committee and a former Japanese prime minister, also spoke in generalities.

But he suggested that the core of the Olympics — the sports — would not face cutbacks. The target seems to be bloated fringe areas.

“At this juncture, I am not able to say concretely what kind of games we are planning,” Mori said.

“What I am saying, is going forward we are going to listen, study and discuss what the games should be.

How the games should be.”

Mori was asked about fans. Will there be fans, limited fans, or none at all?

“Spectators are very important,” he said. “So in relation to COVID-19, how will it be contained doing forward? We’ll consider that aspect as well.”

He was clear about one thing. He sees the Olympics opening on July 23, 2021.

“I’d like to answer your question regarding a cancellation,” he said to a reporter. “We’ve never discussed cancellation. It is not right to discuss this based on speculation. We are not considering a cancellation at all.”

FURY AND JOSHUA AGREE TO TWO-FIGHT DEAL FROM PAGE 16

“The first fight could happen next summer,” Hearn said, although he acknowledged that “there is still a lot to overcome.”

First, Fury plans to fight Deontay Wilder for a third time. Fury’s promoter, Bob Arum, told The Associated Press on Monday that Fury “owes” Wilder a third fight after claiming the WBC belt off the American with a seventh-round stoppage in February.

On Wednesday, Fury described a third Wilder fight as a “hurdle.”

“I’ve just got to smash Deontay Wilder’s face right in, in the next fight, and then we go into the Joshua fight next year,” Fury said.

Arum, the CEO of Top Rank, said they’re shooting for November or December. Only then would Fury turn his attention to Joshua, who is the WBA, IBF and WBO titleholder, Arum said.

Fury also has a mandatory title defence against Dillian Whyte. Joshua is also set to fight this year, against mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev.

Hearn said Joshua-Fury would be “the biggest fight ever in British boxing.”

“It doesn’t get bigger, and there will never be a bigger fight in our generation,” Hearn said.

Both camps will be keen to hold the fights in packed venues, which is not possible today because of coronavirus restrictions.

The Fury-Wilder rematch drew a sellout crowd in Las Vegas that set a record of more than $17 million for the live gate, which is separate from pay-per-view.

PAGE 14, Thursday, June 11, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

MLS TO RESUME SEASON WITH FLORIDA TOURNAMENT STARTING JULY 8 FEDERER

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer MAJOR League Soccer announced yesterday that its season will resume starting July 8 with a tournament in Florida.

The league’s 26 teams will be divided into six groups for the opening round of the tournament played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World.

Teams had played just two games to start the season when the league suspended play on March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

While in Florida, players will be sequestered in a resort with a rigorous testing protocol. Each team will have three group matches, played

over 16 consecutive days with multiple games a day. The group matches will count toward the regular season.

Sixteen teams will advance to the knockout round, with the winner earning a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.

“From the very beginning we said anything we do has to ensure that we’re going to protect the health and safety of our players, all of the staff that will be accompanying them and those that are going to be working the tournament,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.

“There will be testing for those who are travelling down to Orlando before they leave and when they arrive. There will be testing regularly during the competition in the

training that will precede it. And staff will be tested as well.”

The prize pool for the MLS Is Back Tournament is $1.1 million, the league said. The title match will be played on August 11.

Following the tournament, teams will resume the season in their home markets. It was unclear whether those games would be played with fans in the stadiums.

The announcement comes a week after the league and its players reached an agreement on a contract that runs through 2025.

Teams can begin arriving in Florida for training on June 24. Those that have already been training in market must arrive no later than seven days before their first match.

The draw for the group stage was set for Thursday. As hosts, Orlando

City will be the top seed in Group A. “When we first put together the tournament concept at Disney, we just were very uncertain about when we’d be able to return to our stadiums in our own markets,” Garber said.

“We thought why don’t we get them all together, get 26 teams together in one neutral site, play games every day and get our players back on the field for our fans.

But very importantly doing it with games of consequence – a total prize pool of a million dollars and the winner getting a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.

All of this is our best foot forward to do what we can in an exciting, compelling and meaningful way to return to play for 2020.”

WITH VIRTUAL FANS AND DAILY MATCHES, SOCCER RETURNS TO SPAIN

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — With virtual crowds, daily matches and lots of testing for the coronavirus, soccer is coming back to Spain.

The Spanish league resumes this week more than three months after it was suspended because of the pandemic, becoming the second top league to restart in Europe. The Bundesliga was first. The Premier League and the Italian league should be next in the coming weeks.

The Spanish league will kickstart in empty stadiums today with the popular Seville derby between Sevilla and Real Betis, though the season will officially resume on Wednesday with the second half of a second-division game between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete, which was interrupted in December after Rayo fans called a Ukrainian player from Albacete a Nazi.

The title race will resume over the weekend with leader Barcelona visiting Mallorca on Saturday and second-place Real Madrid hosting Eibar on Sunday at

its training centre because the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is undergoing renovations for the rest of the season.

Defending champion Barcelona has a two-point lead over Madrid with 11 rounds remaining.

The league expects to play matches every day until its conclusion on July 19, and all players and coaches will be tested before every game.

Virtual crowds and chants — similar to those in video games — will replace fans on the television broadcasts. Viewers will have the option of watching the matches with the empty stadiums or with the virtual fans in the stands.

Stadiums will be empty for now, but the league has not ruled out having fans back by the end of the season as Spain continues to successfully fight the pandemic. The government has been gradually lifting the lockdown restrictions put in place in March. The nation was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, with nearly 28,000 COVID19 deaths reported.

“I always believed that we would play again, despite of

BARCELONA’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Eibar at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, February 22, 2020. (AP) what many people said,” Spanish league president Javier Tebas said.

“It was complicated, and our plan was to return when we could. It was difficult but we have succeeded. We spent three weeks saying that this would be impossible, and now we are even considering having fans back in the stands.”

There were early concerns among players about returning to action, with defender Fali Giménez of second-division club Cádiz threatening to quit rather than risk being infected, and with players from toptier club Eibar releasing

a statement saying they were afraid of practicing and playing during the pandemic.

The league established a strict return-to-training protocol that initially included daily testing of players and coaches. They will now be tested 48 hours before each match. There were a few positive cases when the training began, but the league has said nobody tested positive recently.

The league hasn’t communicated strict restrictions on goal celebrations and has so far appealed to players to use common sense and their judgement.

Only a few journalists will be allowed in matches because of health safety concerns.

The league estimated losses of one billion euros ($1.1 billion) had the competition not returned.

And it said clubs still face losses of nearly 700 million euros ($791 million) all together.

Nearly every club resorted to government furloughs to reduce players’ salaries and labour costs during the pandemic.

Barcelona may have benefited the most from the stoppage, as it was struggling when the league was suspended.

“The players came back extremely well,” Barcelona coach Quique Setién said.

“The team will be fresher now than it was in March.”

The extra time without matches also allowed Barcelona striker Luis Suárez — who was expected to miss the rest of the season — to recover from a knee injury.

There had been some concern with Lionel Messi because of a minor muscle injury, but Setién said the playmaker is set to compete in Mallorca on Saturday.

20-YEAR BAN FOR EQUESTRIAN RIDER IN HORSE ABUSE CASE LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — A record 20-year ban in equestrian has been imposed on a rider from the United Arab Emirates for horse abuse at a long-distance race.

The horse, Castlebar Contraband, was euthanised after a “catastrophic injury” sustained after being injected with a banned sedative for a 90-kilometre (56-mile) endurance race in France.

The International Equestrian Federation said the ban until June 2040 imposed on Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal al Qasimi was the strongest in its history.

He was previously banned for two years in 2012 when a different horse tested positive for testosterone.

The sedative, xylazine, can be used to lower a horse’s heart rate and for nerve blocking to allow it to run through pain.

The sheikh was ordered to pay 32,500 Swiss francs ($34,000) in fines and legal costs. He can appeal against his sanctions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The FEI suspended the UAE member federation in 2015 because of cases of doping, horse abuse and faked results in endurance races.

OUT FOR REMAINDER OF 2020 AFTER INJURY SETBACK LONDON (AP) — Roger Federer will miss whatever remains of the coronavirus-impacted 2020 tennis season because of a setback in his recovery from surgery on his right knee.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in February and said yesterday in a statement on Twitter that he had a second procedure that will delay his return until 2021.

The 38-year-old Federer had initially planned to be sidelined for at least four months, but because the tour was suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic he has barely missed any elite tennis. “A few weeks ago, having experienced a setback during my initial rehabilitation, I had to have an additional quick arthroscopic procedure on my right knee,” Federer posted. “Now, much like I did leading up to the 2017 season, I plan to take the necessary time to be 100% ready to play at my highest level.

“I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season.”

Like other sports, tennis has been thrown into disarray because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 400,000 lives worldwide.

Wimbledon, the oldest Grand Slam tournament, was cancelled for the first time since 1945. The next edition of the grass court tournament will be June 28 to July 11, 2021.

BROADCAST DEAL ALLOWS SUPER RUGBY AU TO KICK OFF ON JULY 3

NEW Zealand’s captain Kieran Read, left, yells instructions to his team during a Rugby World Cup semi-final match at International Yokohama Stadium between New Zealand and England in Yokohama, Japan, on October 26, 2019. (AP)

Crowds return: 35,000 fans are expected at Super Rugby matches WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Dunedin-based Highlanders are hoping 20,000 fans will attend Saturday’s Super Rugby Aoteroa match against the Chiefs, the first major rugby match to be played in front of fans since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Super Rugby Aotearoa is the first major rugby union tournament to resume since the COVID19 outbreak and one of the first major sports events in the world at which there will be no limitation on crowd size.

The Auckland-based Blues expect as many as 35,000 to attend Sunday’s match against the Wellington-based Hurricanes because of the large

number of national team All Blacks involved.

The decision of the New Zealand government on Monday to drop all restrictions on the size of public gatherings means social distancing is no longer required and sports can take place in full stadiums.

New Zealand has no current cases of COVID-19 and hasn’t recorded a new infection in 18 days.

Blues chief executive Andrew Hore said 20,000 tickets to Sunday’s had been sold in the 24 hours since the government announced the move to alert level 1, which imposes no limits on fans at sports events.

Tickets “are really whipping out the door which is fantastic and I think it’s a

sign of the fact that people want to go and have some form of social experience,” Hore said. “I also helps the industry a lot and the industries that feed off our industry. So it’s a big boost for the place. “We’re thinking in excess of 35,000 which will be an amazing result and will make for a fantastic atmosphere and a massive lift for the players of both sides.”

The first appearance for the Blues of All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett is a major draw card; children will be admitted free and adult tickets are being sold for as little as $13 which includes public transport to and from the match.

More than 12,000 tickets have been sold to the Highlanders’ match against

the Hamilton-based Chiefs. The Highlanders often draw large walk-up crowds, mostly of students in the university city of Dunedin. Their enclosed stadium can hold up to 25,000 for Super Rugby matches and at least 20,000 are expected Saturday.

The five-nation Super Rugby tournament was suspended after seven rounds in March because of international travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.

New Zealand devised the Super Rugby Aotearoa tournament as a way to resume professional rugby in a domestic setting.

New Zealand’s five Super Rugby teams will play each other home and away over 10 weeks.

SYDNEY (AP) — A 12-week, five-team domestic tournament kicking off July 3 has been confirmed to fill Australia’s Super Rugby void after organisers reached a broadcasting deal for the revamped season.

Australia’s four Super Rugby franchises and the Perth-based Western Force will play two rounds of matches before a two-week playoff series in September.

The Super Rugby AU tournament will kick off with the Queensland Reds hosting the New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane and the Canberra-based Brumbies hosting the Melbourne Rebels the following day.

Rugby Australia confirmed the plans yesterday after striking a deal with Fox Sports Australia to broadcast the tournament.

Negotiations are continuing on plans for an international season, including the potential for a four-test Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand and a condensed Rugby Championship also involving World Cup champion South Africa and Argentina.

All scheduled July test matches in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan were postponed when global rugby went into lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The five-nation Super Rugby tournament was suspended after seven rounds in March because of international travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 11, 2020, PAGE 15

WOMEN SUE USA SWIMMING OVER SEXUAL ABUSE BY COACHES

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer SIX women have filed civil lawsuits against USA Swimming, its local associations in California and three now-banned coaches claiming the national governing body failed to protect them from abuse by those coaches.

Debra Grodensky, Suzette Moran and Tracy Palmero, along with three other women who remain anonymous, filed three lawsuits this month — two in Alameda County Superior Court in Northern California and one in Orange County Superior Court in Southern California.

Among individuals named in the suits are former US Olympic and national team coach Mitch Ivey, former US national team director Everett Uchiyama and former coach Andrew King.

The suits allege USA Swimming, including former executive director Chuck Wielgus, and other top officials, the local

associations and clubs were aware of Ivey, Uchiyama and King’s predatory behaviour but refused to address it, creating a culture of abuse that exposed dozens of underage swimmers to sexual abuse and harassment.

The lawsuits are believed to be the first major filings under a new California law that allows sexual abuse victims to confront in court their abusers and the organisations that protected predators. Assembly Bill 218, which went into effect on January 1, created a three-year window to file past claims that had expired under the statute of limitations.

“My sexual abuse was 100 per cent preventable,” Grodensky said yesterday during a video conference.

Grodensky said King abused her from ages 11 to 16 when she was a swimmer in Danville, California, in the early 1980s. Now 51 and living in New York, she said she has suffered from years of depression as a

result of the abuse. Grodensky said King’s grooming of her extended to her family, friends and teammates.

In 2010, King was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading no contest to 20 child molestation charges.

“I want this lawsuit to wake up USA Swimming,” Grodensky said. “I want cultural change and mandated education for this great sport.”

Moran said King coached her at age 12 in Northern California. Around the same age, she said Ivey began grooming her for his sexual gratification, which escalated and resulted in him getting her pregnant at 17. Moran said he told her to have an abortion months before the 1984 US Olympic trials.

“USA Swimming enabled Mitch Ivey to abuse me and as a result, I’ve suffered from years of depression, low self-esteem and panic attacks on top of acute anxiety. I still suffer from the trauma today

that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Moran said. “USA Swimming must clean house and get rid of the coaches and executives that created this culture that condoned sexual abuse by coaches.”

Grodensky, Moran and Palmero said the culture continues to exist within USA Swimming.

“If I have the courage to tell my story on a national stage, USA Swimming should have the courage to clean house and make this sport safer for all children,” said Moran, who no longer likes to swim and kept her children out of the sport because of her abuse.

In a statement, USA Swimming said the three coaches named in the women’s lawsuits have “long been” on the governing body’s list of individuals permanently suspended or ineligible for membership due to allegations of misconduct from the 1980s and 1990s, and the US Center for SafeSport has recognised and honoured their

bans. “We fully support survivors of sexual abuse along their healing journey. USA Swimming’s Safe Sport programme continues to work with prominent health and education experts to provide meaningful member resources and SwimAssist funding to those in need,” the governing body said.

“The organisation and its current leadership remain committed to providing a safe environment and a positive culture for all its members.”

Palmero said she was abused by Uchiyama beginning at 14 when she swam in Tustin, California, in the early 1990s. Now 46 and still living in Southern California, Palmero said she believed other coaches on her team knew of Uchiyama’s abuse and did nothing. Ten years later, she reported him to Wielgus, who she said had Uchiyama sign a confidential agreement in which he admitted to the abuse and resigned.

Wielgus died in 2017 at age 67.

Uchiyama later found a coaching job at a nearby country club on the recommendation of another USA Swimming executive.

“This news was devastating to me. It was as if they were dismissing everything that happened to me,” Palmero said. “This is how USA Swimming takes care of its predator coaches.”

Palmero said she wants an investigation into who enabled Uchiyama to abuse her and to have those people banned from the sport.

Ed Allard, the women’s attorney, said USA Swimming has known about their cases for years.

“Yet they purposefully did not reach out to them, we believe, because they did not want to know the truth about who knew about their abuse and did nothing,” he said.

“This organisation cannot truly move forward unless it expels from its membership permanently those responsible for the perpetuation of this culture.”

SPORTS SECTION E

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020

PAGE 13

Miller-Uibo gets set for Inspiration Games

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A

s World Athletics seeks to return to a state of normalcy, an innovative new approach will feature some of the biggest names in the sport competing remotely, including Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

The reigning Olympic 400m champion and Diamond League 200m champion will compete against her chief rivals from their respective locations in an exhibition series as a part of the ‘Weltklasse Zurich Inspiration Games on July 9.

In just under a month, Miller-Uibo, Allyson Felix of the United States and Mujinga Kambundji of

Switzerland will The Inspiration race against the Games are a part clock simultaneof the Wanda Diaously in the 150m mond League. The from their respecgames, a live team tive locations. event, will feature Miller-Uibo dozens of athletes will race out of competing simultaMiramar, Florida, neously in different while Felix - the venues across the six-time Olympic globe. The format champion - will is a partnership MILLERrace from Walnut, between World UIBO California, and Athletics, the Kambundji competes in Wanda Diamond League, Zurich, Switzerland.

Swiss Timing and broadIn addition to her signa- caster SRG SSR. ture events, Miller-Uibo “Thirty track and field has been a world leader in superstars compete across the 150m in recent years at eight disciplines in an innothe Adidas Boston Games. vative team event spanning She won the event in 2018 seven stadiums and three in a time of 16.23 seconds, continents. The aim is not a record time performance only to provide live sport on a straight track. Miller- for athletics fans across the Uibo repeated as the 150 world, but also to inspire metre champion at the the next generation,” 2019 event in 16.37.

World Athletics said.

Karin Nussbaumer, SRG SSR’s national coordinator added: “To simultaneously broadcast three different venues in each discipline will certainly be a technical challenge. Time delays will have to be corrected so that everything is synchronised for the viewer.

It is highly demanding to organise such a broadcast.”

World Athletics reopened its headquarters this month after the COVID19 pandemic forced its closure for 11 weeks. The new competition format featured in the Inspiration Games emerged as just one of its strategic measures moving forward.

“Our head office may have been closed for 11 weeks but we have not been idle,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said following a meeting

with its 14-member federations. “We have used that time to continue to develop our strategy to grow athletics. A huge amount of work has been put into developing our four-year strategic plan, led by our CEO Jon Ridgeon and with input and involvement from all at HQ, our Executive Board, our Area Presidents, Commission Chairs and Commissions. This is an exceptional body of work that brings together all the great things we do as a global sport body with a laser sharp focus on doing it better, and includes some innovative and creative ideas to drive growth in our sport. It is exactly the type of roadmap our sport needs to bring together all our stakeholders with a single vision, mission and clear priorities.”

BAHAMAS RESIDENT TO COMPETE IN FIRST VIRTUAL BOAT RACE THIS Saturday, June 13, local Bahamas rower and current Cambridge University women’s boat squad member Sophie Paine will join Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and club rowers, representing teams from Oxford and Cambridge to compete in the very first MCH.Londonvirtual boat race.

The event will raise funds for Power2Inspire, the charity committed to sport inclusivity through events, coaching and education.

SEE PAGE 13

Burrows: ‘I viewed with dismay slashes in the current budget’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE local sporting community continues to react to reports of massive budget cuts to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freedom Farm Baseball League Director and former PLP Senator, Greg Burrows, expressed concern at how the recent cuts will affect youth sports development.

A significant reduction in expenditure from last year’s budget of $24,081,380 to around $18,938,187 (a

$5,143,194 decrease) has meant that one of the areas that will receive less funding is youth sports development.

“As a member of the sporting community with a focus on youth development, I viewed with dismay slashes in the current budget totalling $5,143194.00 within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. This is not the first time the government has made significant budget cuts in this Ministry, adversely affecting our youth and athletes. Specifically, contributions to

SEE PAGE 13

FURY AND JOSHUA AGREE TO TWO-FIGHT DEAL LONDON (AP) — An all-British world heavyweight title showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in 2021 is a step closer.

Fury said yesterday that an agreement has been reached with Joshua’s camp on a two-fight deal between the current holders of the heavyweight belts.

“The biggest fight in British boxing history has just been agreed,” Fury said in a video message posted on Twitter. “Two-fight deal.”

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, earlier Wednesday told British broadcaster Sky Sports that the camps had agreed to two fights.

“We’re in a good place,” Hearn said. “It’s fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight.

Two fights.”

DEFENDING champion Andy Ruiz Jr, left, takes a right cross to the face during his fight against Anthony Joshua in their World Heavyweight Championship contest at the Diriyah Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 8, 2019.

(AP) Specific dates and venues have not been finalised and contracts have not been signed, but Hearn said the sides have agreed on the financial terms.

SEE PAGE 13

TOKYO OLYMPICS TALK OF SIMPLIFYING, BUT NO SPECIFICS SO FAR

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — One thing is certain: Tokyo organisers want to somehow simplify next year’s postponed Olympics to keep costs down.

Estimates in Japan say the delay alone could cost $2 billion to $6 billion, most of which will be absorbed

by Japanese taxpayers.

But how to do it and where to cut or reduce is still unclear. And there’s unlikely to be anything concrete until the fall, when organisers hope that science will better understand the coronavirus pandemic and measures Tokyo needs

to take against it. “We together with the IOC, we have begun to review the service levels that we originally planned for,” Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organising committee, said yesterday in Tokyo after an online meeting with the International Olympic Committee executive board in Switzerland. “We are in the process of identifying more than 200 items that simplification could exist.”

As he has done for 2 1/2 months since the Olympics were postponed, Muto offered nothing concrete and no examples of what might be downsized.

SEE PAGE 13