NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain and a dozen other supporters were arrested yesterday morning after staging a protest ahead of the CARICOM meetings at Baha Mar.
Bain said in a Facebook live video yesterday morning that he had been asked to leave the property but had informed police that he and others were paid guests at the resort. The resort is under heavy security as CARICOM meetings get underway today.
Bain and his supporters were once again protesting what they have called an “immigration crisis” in the country. In the Facebook live video, Bain and his supporters were directed to take their protest to Goodman’s Bay. The group argued that their rights to freedom of assembly were violated as police seized protesters in an effort to disrupt the assembly.
Police said in a press release last night that 14 men including Bain and four women were arrested for unlawful assembly ahead of the 2023 CARICOM meeting.
“Initial reports indicated that, sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday 15th February, 2023 officers posted at various check points in the Western district of New Providence, for the protection of VIP guests attending the Caricom meeting, were met with resistance, from a group of persons.”
The report further noted that the group, who did not have proper authorization to hold a protest, were asked to disperse and leave the area immediately which they refused. Subsequently 18 persons were arrested for unlawfully assembly, resisting arrest and causing a nuisance.
Police stressed that the safety and security of all diplomats attending Caricom will be treated seriously and with the strictest enforcement of the law. The public is also being advised to avoid the conference area if they can as much as possible for the next two days.
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