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APRIL 2024 • ISSUE NO. 1953

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ENOUGH IS ‘ ENOUGH’ Capleton

CALL TO ACTION: Brent Central MP Dawn Butler

EXCLUSIVE

The racist violence Black women face must be stamped out MP Dawn Butler tells The Voice

Two Black women stand up for their rights together with hundreds of others at a recent rally in Hackney in support of Diane Abbott (Pic: Getty)

MP Dawn Butler is urging swift action to tackle racism faced by Black women, following Tory donor Frank Hester’s recent comments about Diane Abbot. Writing exclusively for The Voice Butler says: “It’s a real battle with the way Black women are abused and disregarded in society and it’s time this stops. Enough is enough.” p10

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Inside THIS MONTH

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THE 10 MOST POPULAR STORIES ON VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK

Sizzla demands locals have access to beaches in Jamaica. The reggae star is urging the country’s authorities to ensure ordinary Jamaicans are not prevented from going to the beach

Kehinde Andrews, the academic star at the frontline of anti-racism

Policing under scrutiny: NBPA President Andy George urges major reforms of the Met

MP Dawn Butler on why the Tory donor racism scandal is a threat to British democracy

Barbudans win court battle against property developers

Black Unity Bike Ride collective saddle up for Rwanda mission

West Indies set to cause a storm at T20

No room for hate: why tolerating racism is not an option in British politics

HE RECENT appalling remarks made by Conservative Party donor Frank Hester about Hackney and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott are not just a matter of rudeness; they are deeply rooted in racism and misogyny. Hester’s recorded comments, expressing a desire for violence towards Abbott, are not only abhorrent but also dangerously symptomatic of the racism entrenched in our society. In a purportedly civilised nation, such vitriolic rhetoric should rightfully bring widespread condemnation and swift action. Yet, the tepid response from the Conservative Party, and Hester’s feeble attempts at an apology, are utterly insufficient. By failing to unequivocally denounce Hester’s remarks and return his donations, the party sends a distressing message: that racism is tolerable within its ranks. The gravity of Hester’s words cannot be overstated. They do not exist in a vacuum but contribute to a culture where racism and misogyny thrive, encouraging race hate crimes and endangering the lives of Black people. When individuals in positions of power express such vile sentiments, it emboldens others to do the same, creating a climate of hostility and violence. Black women, in particular, are justified in their outrage. The Tory donor’s assertion that

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ROUNDUP

seeing Diane Abbott on television makes him want to hate all Black women is chilling. It speaks to the intersectional discrimination faced by Black women, who endure both racism and sexism in a society that often fails to protect them. The responses to Hester’s comments from Black women themselves are poignant reminders of the very real impact of racist rhetoric on their lives. They speak of anxiety, disheartenment, and numbness in the face of relentless hatred. Their legitimate fears are exacerbated by the lack of support and accountability from those in power. As a society, we cannot afford to be complacent in the face of such blatant bigotry. We must demand accountability from our leaders and challenge the normalisation of racism and misogyny. Silence is complicity, and it only serves to further endanger marginalised communities. In condemning Frank Hester’s remarks, The Voice stands in solidarity with Diane Abbott and all Black women who deserve to feel safe and valued in their own country. It is incumbent upon Britain’s political leaders to confront racism wherever it rears its ugly head and for all of us to work towards a society where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race or gender.

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Vybz Kartel: Top UK court to rule on star’s appeal today. The Privy Council is expected to hand down the judgement today Trio jailed for life after Shakira Spencer tortured to death. The mother-of-two was subjected to a prolonged campaign of beatings, enslavement, control, humiliation over a period of months

Take off for the women of Ethiopian Airlines. The airline has been operating all-women functioned ﬂights to different parts of the world since 2015, including Buenos Aires, Lagos and Bangkok

Vybz Kartel: Star’s murder conviction quashed at top UK court. The Privy Council ruled Kartel’s murder conviction should be quashed

Samaria Ayanle: Body found after 19-yearold student reported missing. Police say Samaria’s death is currently being treated as unexplained Haiti declares a state of emergency as thousands of inmates escape prison. The 72-hour state of emergency began Sunday night, in the hope it will bring an end to the violence across the Caribbean country.

Why haven’t Black Tories spoken out against racist comments about Diane Abbott? The silence of leading Black Conservatives such as Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Shaun Bailey has been conspicuous Barbudans win court battle against alleged ‘ethnic cleansing’ by property developers. A ruling by the UK Privy Council to stop the construction of an airport on the island could see similar legal action taken by other Caribbean islands

Rev Al Sharpton pays tribute to UK anti-racism campaigner Audrey Adams. Adams who died earlier this month after an illness became a respected campaigner following the racist murder of her son Rolan

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News Feature

Why Asquith Xavier is a man to be remembered The Windrush member helped create a more equal Britain. By Camealia Xavier-Chihota

EARLY 60 years ago, in that momentous year when England last won the World Cup, there was arguably an even more significant victory, one that would shape British employment law for years to come. Not many people have heard the name Asquith Xavier. Nearly six decades ago, the railway worker applied for a promotion that would see him move from Marylebone to Euston Station in 1966. But, astonishingly, at the time there was an informal ban on Black workers holding railway jobs that would see them come into contact with the public, and he was turned down. However, the determined Windrush Generation member refused to take no for an answer. He eventually overturned a racist recruitment policy at Euston station, paving the way for equal opportunities in the workplace not only for other Windrush Generation members, but for Black Britons of the future. Asquith Camile Xavier was born on July 18, 1920, on the Caribbean island of Dominica, then a British colony. Like many members of the Windrush Generation, he answered the British government’s call for those in the Caribbean to move to Britain to help rebuild its weakened economy following the end of the Second World War. There were severe labour shortages, so Commonwealth citizens were invited to Britain. Asquith boarded the TN Ascania in his capital city of Roseau and docked in Southampton on April 16, 1958. Settling in Paddington, west London, he shared lodgings with his sister Iola and brother Hubert. The then 37-year-old had made prior arrangements to begin working at British Rail as a porter the very next day. No stranger to hard work, Asquith spent the coming

years tenaciously working his way up to become a guard at Marylebone railway station. Although he came to Britain alone, he soon sent for his wife Agnes and their children to join him in 1960. He had become a well-respected man in his community and, with a background in law enforcement, Asquith was often asked to assist fellow West Indians with official or legal matters, acting as a scribe and spokesperson on their behalf. He would never disclose details of the overt discrimination faced by his fellow countrymen to his family, but he bore it on his broad shoulders. Ever the optimist, Asquith saw the potential for race relations to improve in Britain for future generations. He was a prim and particular man who knew the power of the first impression, so his uniform was always spotless and his shoes shined to the highest standard. In 1966, when the freight link at Marylebone depot was closed, he applied for a transfer to London Euston Station. Asquith was told he was denied the job due to an unofficial colour bar which operated at the station, excluding Black people from working in customerfacing roles. Dissatisfied with this decision, he campaigned to end the

racial discrimination practised by British Railways. The first Race Relations Act was passed a year before, in 1965, making it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origins in public places. But the railways were not considered public. His refusal to accept discrimination made history. Asquith’s principled stance caught the attention of then-home secretary Jim Callaghan. Speaking about Asquith’s case in Parliament, he said: “The House has rarely faced an issue of greater social significance for our country and our children.” Barbara Castle, who was the transport secretary, also took up the case. After she intervened, British Railways abandoned its colour bar policies on July 15, 1966 and offered Asquith a job. The new post made him the first non-White train guard at Euston railway station. Not only did he secure the promotion, but his pay was backdated to when he had first applied for the position. Subsequently, the Commission for Racial Equality was created. His campaign also led to the strengthening of the Race Relations Act. In 1968, it became illegal

to refuse housing, employment or public services to people because of their ethnic background. On Asquith’s first day working at Euston, his boss and station manager Ernest Drinnan was reported to have said: “We expect Mr Xavier to fit in very well here. His record at Marylebone was exceptionally good and we know everyone here will take to him.” Sadly, this wasn’t quite the case. His victory came at a cost. He received race hate messages and threats to his life and required police protection on his way to and from work. In 1972, Asquith and his family moved from London to Chatham in Kent, where he commuted daily by train to work at Euston Station. But

not long after, his health began to fail and, in 1980, he passed away aged 59. Describing my grandfather’s journey to justice and his advancements in gaining equal opportunities for the non-White community in the workplace fills me with an overwhelming sense of pride. His dignity, strength of character and tenacity in the face of adversity makes me feel honoured to carry the Xavier name. His contribution to our society has undoubtedly shaped the way we live today and should be celebrated and never forgotten. His legacy has made a lasting impression on me and taught me that with matters of discrimination, the pen can be mightier than the sword. Asquith’s stand against injustice helped reshape employment laws, empowering the Windrush Generation who faced overt racism and paved the way to equality in the workplace for future generations. The pandemic of 2020 and the shocking death of George Floyd which was captured on video, high lighted ongoing racism. The Black Lives Matter movement highlight ed Britain’s racial injustices, mark ing a pivotal moment. That summer I co-founded a charity with the goal of delivering supplementary educa tion to fill the gaps in the national curriculum and to offer a broader view of history and modern society to the next generation. Medway Culture Club is support ed by a diverse team of volunteers including educators, industry pro-

fessionals and community activists. We deliver monthly workshops, events for the community and school visits to promote diversity, equality and inclusion. Bias is sustained by a lack of racial literacy training and a diverse curriculum. While acknowledging the contribution of the Windrush Generation is important, if achievements such as Asquith’s are not more widely known about, this undermines these acknowledgements which gives a feeling of a tokenistic Black History Month box tick. I feel my grandfather’s impactful legacy has been lost in time. To progress, society must recognise the work of those who have bravely challenged the status quo. Limiting Black history to one month isn’t enough; it should be integrated across various subjects, To cultivate a more unified and accepting society, the national curriculum should include the achievements and contributions made by ethnically diverse people, like my grandfather, and their impact on the nation. Schools should include a broader, more accurate representation of Black history, including the history of Windrush, and the pioneers of that generation who came to rebuild a post-war Britain and launch the National Health Service. What my grandfather was able to achieve and show people nearly 60 years ago was not just that Black Lives Matter, but the quality of life of Black people matters equally.

News Opinion

Dawn Butler MP

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

TIME FOR SUNAK TO TAKE ACTION

Brent MP Dawn Butler, who herself has faced calls to be shot by racists, is urging political leaders to tackle the racism Black women face

IT’S been nearly a month on and we are still reeling from yet another Tory racism scandal. This time, Frank Hester — the Conservative Party’s largest donor — allegedly made incredibly racist and violent remarks in 2019 about my friend Diane Abbott MP and all Black women. He reportedly said: ‘You see Diane Abbott on the TV, and you’re just like I hate, you just want to hate all Black women because she’s there… but I think she should be shot. [The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot. She’s stupid… It’s not as good as her dying. It would be much better if she died. She’s consuming resource. She’s eating food that other people could eat. You know?’ These are incredibly disturbing and sinister comments to come from someone so involved in our politics. Diane has understandably said that his comments are ‘frightening’ — and I was frightened for her. It makes us all feel less safe. Frank Hester tried to claim since that his comments were ‘rude’, and that ‘his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin’. But let me be clear. His remarks represent deep-seated racism, nothing less, and we need to treat it as such. Comments like those, and the failure of those in power to condemn them, fuel the flames of division and hatred in our society and put people at risk. After initially dragging his feet — a spokesperson for

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak finally said: “The comments allegedly made by Frank Hester were racist and wrong.” And though the Prime Minister also said that Hester has apologised, as far as I can tell, he only apologised for being rude, not for being racist. The fact that Hester apparently wants to ‘hate all Black women’ is the very definition of racism and prejudice. Calling for an MP to be ‘shot’ and essentially starved is sick, dangerous and exposes a very worrying level of violent behaviour and beliefs.

That these alleged comments came from a man who has received £400m in government and NHS contracts and donated £10m to the Tories in the past year, is just chilling. I launched a motion in Parliament, EDM 495, calling on the Prime Minister and all leaders to condemn these shocking remarks. I’m delighted to have received cross-party support, with MPs from all the major parties and more signing my motion. v that It is vital we stand united against hate, division and racism of all forms, no matter our political allegiance. We s i m p l y cannot

allow such violent, discriminatory remarks to become normalised in our politics or our society. It’s a real battle with the way Black women are abused and disregarded in society and it’s time this stops. We cannot forget that, in the run-up to a previous general election, it was found that Diane Abbott alone received almost half of all the abusive tweets sent to female MPs. Shockingly, some Tories seemingly couldn’t call this out for what it was. Cabinet minister Mel Stride said that, while Hester’s alleged remarks were ‘inappropriate’, they were not ‘gender-based or race-based’. Tory peer Lord Marland tried to argue: “He does a lot of business in Jamaica, he does business in Malaysia, Bangladesh and places like that, so he’s not a racist.” Kevin Hollinrake, parliamentary under-secretary for the Department of Business and Trade, said the Tory Party would accept another £10m donation from him “on the basis that we don’t believe Mr Hester’s a racist”. If Sunak will not stamp out racism with his friends and in his own party, then how can he possibly fight racism in the country? I believe that all the contracts Hester holds must be rescinded immediately — and he should be blocked from holding contracts in the future. Hester is the custodian of millions of UK medical records through the government contracts, but he should be nowhere near our sensitive data.

And the Prime Minister must immediately instruct his party to redirect every single penny of the donations Frank Hester made to the Conservative Party towards good causes, charities and organisations that fight racism and discrimination such as Show Racism the Red Card, The Runnymede Trust, Kick it out, Stand up to Racism, Hope Not Hate and Black Women Rising. Or, they could even ask Diane for some suitable local organisations in her constituency. After all, why should Hester get his money back after what he has done? He needs to address his behaviour. If he is truly sorry, then he should hand back his OBE and issue a genuine apology, which accepts that his remarks were racist. If you allow hatred and discrimination to fester and fail to condemn it, then you open the doors to the far-right — you send a tacit message to others that it is acceptable to racially abuse people.

This is already an extremely sensitive time in our politics, and we know the very real dangers MPs face and have faced, so for someone to call for Diane to be shot is simply unforgivable. I know what it feels like. A man named Stephen Peddie was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after he tweeted about me, saying: ‘Someone please explain to me why a bullet to the back of the head is anything but justified and wholly deserved.’ I also received a barrage of abusive and racist messages on social media since I called out Hester’s alleged remarks. It is scary — it shows what happens when racists are emboldened. It is not right, and it is not fair — enough is enough. The country must keep its politicians safe, as that is important for a functioning democracy. Rishi Sunak cannot be selective about the safety of MPs because a man with racist views gives them £10m. You cannot take millions from someone who talks about wanting to ‘hate all Black women’, and who makes such openly violent remarks. The Tories must cancel Hester’s contracts and redirect his money towards anti-racism causes. It is time to act properly. n Dawn Butler is the MP for Brent Central. n For more on this story see pages 18 and 29

BLACK WOMEN EXPRESS CONCERNS FOR THEIR SAFETY AFTER TORY DONOR’S COMMENTS

Bristol celebrating

ADVERTORIAL

Speaking Truth to Power Bristol Bus Boycott Legacy Celebrated by the City’s Mayor, Marvin Rees

n April 29th, 1963, the Bristol Bus Boycott began after People of Colour were denied jobs as bus drivers in Britain because of their skin colour. This peaceful but purposeful protest was led by Paul Stephenson, who, alongside many others, marched for freedom, jobs and equality. On August 28th of that same year, the Bristol Bus Boycott defeated the Colour Bar as operated by the Bristol Omnibus Company. This happened the same day Martin Luther King gave his ‘I Have a Dream speech’ in Washington DC, USA. The following year, on April 10th, 1964, Paul famously began his oneperson sit-in at the Bay Horse Pub in Bristol. Both events paved the way for implementing the Race Relations Act 1965, the UK’s first-ever anti-racist law.

‘Standing on REFLECTIONS As we approach the 60th anniversary The Shoulders of these three pivotal UK civil rights moments in Britain’s history, Curiosof Giants’, this ity UnLtd has proudly partnered with equality charity Diversity UK, independent UK law firm Burges Salmon, ﬁreside and ethical bank Triodos Bank, to honour the Boycott’s legacy by bringing chat will the annual Paul Stephenson Lecture to its ancestral home city of Bristol for be an open discussion about Bristol’s past, present and future.

the first time. As one of his final public addresses, the keynote address will be given by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, Europe’s first elected Mayor of Black descent, who will share reflections on his eight years in office. Themed around ‘Standing on The Shoulders of Giants’, this fireside chat will be an open discussion about Bristol’s past, present and future. It will explore Mayor Marvin’s thoughts on Martin Luther King, the Bristol Bus Boycott’s legacy, and the toppling of Colston’s statues. It will also delve into

the future of the One City Plan, Marvin’s approach to inclusive growth, tackling inequality, the housing crisis, the environmental emergency and more. Event organiser, Julz Davis of Curiosity UnLtd said, “Bristol is a proud city of protest, home to the Bristol Bus Boycott and the birthplace of the Race Relations Act 1965.

PARTNER

Having played a pivotal role, Paul Stephenson is not just a Bristol icon but a National Hero. And on the 60th anniversary of his one-person sit-in at the Bay Horse Pub, we are delighted to partner with Diversity UK, Burges Salmon, and Triodos Bank. Thanks to their support, we look forward to celebrating Paul Stephenson’s immense contribution to a better Bristol and Britain. An endur-

ing legacy that we all continue to benefit from.” Lopa Patel MBE, Chair of Diversity UK, the equality charity that set up the Paul Stephenson Lecture, said, “We are proud to have brought this seminal lecture on race equality to Bristol for the first time: the city plays a large part in Britain’s civil rights movement which has been ongoing since that first Bristol Bus Boycott on April 29th, 1963. Launched at the Speaker’s House at the House of Commons in 2016, previous esteemed speakers at the Paul Stephenson Lecture have included Lord Simon Woolley, Patrick Vernon OBE,

Tom Ilube CBE, Professor Marcia Wilson and Christopher Jackson, among others. Given Bristol’s rich history of protest and activism, it’s with some excitement that we look forward to hearing Marvin’s unique thoughts on the challenges and opportunities for racial equality and social justice in Bristol and beyond.

EXHIBITIONS

We are particularly excited about meeting some Bristol Bus Boycott pioneers such as Guy Bailey and Barbara Dettering, upon whom we hope to bestow a Diversity UK Lifetime Achievement Award for

their pivotal contribution to the Boycott’s success.” Julz added, “The Paul Stephenson Lecture 2024 is part of the second year of the Big Bristol Bus Boycott Takeover from April 22nd to May 6th. This lecture is the crowning jewel in a citywide two-weeklong programme of events commemorating when the Bristol Bus Boycott began. Our exciting program includes unveiling plaques and research on the state of race in the city, a walking tour, pop-up exhibitions, releasing a new music video, ‘We Rise’, a large celebratory event at the Bristol Beacon, and more.”

Lyndon Mukasa

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

Eye on the Diaspora

THE AFRO-PALESTINIANS CAUGHT IN GAZA CONFLICT

Afro-Palestinians in Gaza make up around one per cent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million. While accurate population numbers are hard to come by, it is known that there are communities spread across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories with up to 350 to 450 documented people distributed across 50 different families. In the Al Jalla’a district of Gaza, roughly 11,000 Afro-Palestinian

people resided before the Israeli invasion began in October 2023. Afro-Palestinians have diverse origins that can be traced across Africa. Many Afro-Palestinians have roots that could be traced to Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Senegal and Chad. Some Afro-Palestinians have ancestors who were brutally trafficked to Palestine as enslaved Africans during the Arab slave trade from the mid-7th Century. Many came as enslaved labourers as well as merchants and soldiers during the period of Ottoman rule from the 14th century. However, not all Africans arrived in Palestine as enslaved individuals, Africans had been migrating to Palestine at least as early as the 12th Century as Muslim pilgrims from Sudan and Chad and later some arrived as labourers during the British mandate over Palestine in the early 20th century following the disillusionment of the Ottoman Empire. Other Afro-Palestinian people are descendants of those who served in the Arab Salvation Army that fought on the Arab side during the Arab-Israeli war in 1948.

The vast majority of Afro-Palestinians in Gaza are refugees or descendants of refugees who were expelled from their homes after fleeing Zionist forces that drove them out during the invasion that led to the creation of Israel in 1948. This forced displacement is known among Palestinians as the Nakba which means catastrophe. This has shaped Afro-Palestinian identity just as much as their Palestinian counterparts. Afro-Palestinians have made significant contributions to the Palestinian struggle for liberation. The first female Palestinian political prisoner was a woman named Fatima Bernawi who was arrested in 1968. Bernawi was of Nigerian ancestry and she was imprisoned for a failed bombing attempt at a cinema in 1968. In the current Israeli-Gaza conflict, Afro-Palestinians have been internally displaced along with the majority of Gaza’s population. Additionally the Gaza health authority has reported thousands of casualties with many bodies still buried under rubble.

Photo: Getty Images

argely dri en out of srael eeing Zionist forces, the community continues to face persecution today

HE ISRAELI invasion of Gaza and the unfolding genocide of the Palestinian people has in six months created an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe that at the time of this article going to print has killed over 31,180 people. The majority of Western governments have offered unconditional support to the Israeli Government either through complicity or outright arms supplies as is the case with the United States and the UK. In the chaos and destruction of this conflict, many communities have been torn apart and may never reform again. One particularly vulnerable community that has been part of the fabric of Palestinian society for centuries is the Afro-Palestinian community, a community that has been bound within the Israeli-Palestine conflict and has forged a unique identity in a state trapped within a state.

The involvement of Afro-Palestinians in the struggle for Palestinian liberation has over time enhanced their place in Palestinian society. However, unfortunately like the rest of the world, discrimination and anti-Blackness is a pernicious feature both among Israelis and Palestinians. Some Afro-Palestinians have reported being referred to as “abeed” which is Arabic for slave. While in recent years there has

been a shift in racist attitudes as more Palestinians particularly among the younger generation have become more informed, racism still occasionally emerges particularly in family objections to interracial marriages with Black Palestinians. Moreover, Afro-Palestinians, like most Afro-Palestinians across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, are among the poorest groups in the country. Many Afro-

Palestinians leave school early to support their families and live in smaller housing. As such, within the context of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the Afro-Palestinian community is especially vulnerable to expulsion or eradication. Even if peace is achieved soon, the barbarity and scale of the Israeli destruction of Gaza will test the resilience of this community on a scale not seen since 1948 Nakba.

The challenges of oil discoveries in Guyana and Suriname

LYNDON MUKASA IS A WRITER AND RESEARCHER. HE STUDIED INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

News Feature

BARBUDANS CAN CHALLENGE ‘ETHNIC CLEANSING’ AIRPORT A ruling by the UK Privy Council means Barbudan residents are deemed to have a case to challenge the building of a private airport. By Sinai Fleary

WO BARBUDAN residents have won a landmark appeal at a top UK court to challenge the construction of an airport in their country. Residents John Mussington, a marine biologist, and Jacklyn Frank, a retired teacher, launched the legal battle against the government of Antigua and Barbuda in 2018, after they feared the construction of a private airport would destroy the environment in the east Caribbean country. The government of Antigua and Barbuda had opposed the application for a judicial review by the residents because they did not have specialised knowledge about the environment and tried to insist they had no standing to take legal action. But the UK Privy Council – which is the final court of appeal for the twin-island country – has recently ruled the residents do have a right to challenge the construction of the runway – which lawyers say should give other Caribbean residents the “confidence to challenge” major developers. Speaking to The Voice about the ruling, lawyer Thalia Maragh of Garden Court Chambers’ Environmental Law and Climate Justice Team, who represented the residents, said: “The court effectively found that the claimants did in fact have standing to bring a claim for judicial review relating to environmental matters, because as citizens and people who live on the island of Barbuda they were directly affected. “It is a landmark ruling because it widens the issue of standing as it relates to who can bring a claim relating to environmental matters.” She also said the ruling granting the residents standing illustrates “it is not necessary for the applicant to demonstrate an expertise in the subject matter” and that having some knowledge or “concern about the environment” is enough. The lawyer said she hopes other environmental campaigners and activists in the Caribbean see the Privy Council ruling as “a judgement which empowers them to access information.” Maragh urged campaigners and residents to become more involved

in seeking disclosure of decisions made about developments in their communities and to “assess” and “scrutinise the soundness of developments and their compliance with planning regulations.” According to reports, the government of the twin-island nation began construction of the airport in Barbuda without consultation with the people of the island and without following the proper planning procedures – including publishing an Environmental Impact Assessment. Dr David Dorsett, representing the Barbudan Development Control Authority, the Antigua and Barbuda Airports Authority and the islands’ Attorney General, admitted there was no public consultation, but insisted this was lawful. Maragh told The Voice that despite requests from Mussington and Frank for the disclosure of the Environmental Impact Assessment, they never received this and they were concerned about the “preservation of the environment” of their country. She said the residents were deeply worried about the destruction of “historical sites”, “ancient trees” and the “habitat of local animals.” She added that Mussington and Frank also had concerns about the “potential contamination of the underwater supply” to the country.

DISMISSED

In 2018, the residents were granted an interim injunction to halt the construction of the airport because planning laws were not followed. However, the injunction was appealed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda in the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal (ECCA), which was successful, and the case subsequently sent back to the local courts. The application for the injunction was heard in local courts and was later dismissed. The dismissal was then appealed by the two residents and the case went back to the ECCA, who ruled in favour of the government. As a result, the residents refused to back down and took the case to the Privy Council, where last month it was ruled the resi-

dents do have standing and the case will now go back to local courts. Even though the legal battle continues, the ruling from the Privy Council has been seen as a victory for ordinary residents. In 2005, Maragh started the challenge to end the restriction of public access to the Winnifred Beach in Portland, Jamaica. She said the Privy Council ruling widens the threshold of who can take legal action against developments across the Caribbean, which will have a significant impact on other countries in the region facing similar issues. In recent months, there have been growing calls for public access to beaches in Jamaica to be protected. Mussington and Frank previously told The Voice that ordinary Barbudans are being “ethnically cleansed” by developers who want to turn their country into a place for rich millionaires. Speaking outside the Supreme Court in November last year, Mussington told The Voice: “As our saying says, ‘Land equals culture.’ The kind of things that these developers are doing, they are literally destroying our resources, including our food security, and destroying our culture.” He said Barbudans were being “ethnically cleansed” off their land, and he feared locals might be pushed off the island permanently. The Voice has contacted the office of Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister Gaston Browne for comment.

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