Police investigate threat against Premier

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17: The Bermuda Police Service reported today that it is investigating alleged threats made online against Premier Dr. Ewart Brown.

Police spokesman Robin Simmons said: “The Bermuda Police Service following the information received by the Premier’s Press Secretary Jamahl Simmons has commenced inquires into the threat against the Premier Doctor the Honorable Ewart F. Brown JP MP.  

“The first course of action will be to assess the threat then identify whether or not any criminal offences have occurred.”

Premier’s press secretary Jamahl Simmons addressed the threat in a press release yesterday:

Recently, it was discovered that a so-called 'joke' about assassinating the Premier was published on an anonymous online messaging board with a history of hateful comments against the Progressive Labour Party.

The comment, which did not receive condemnation from fellow commenters on the message board, read, "OK...   point me to the grassy knoll then... actually that would be better now thinking about it...  I'll actually have a better shot view, and no one will ever see me... and I can leave without a trace..."

Assassination is no laughing matter.  To this end, we have notified the Bermuda Police Service about this threat and asked for an investigation.

For years, shrouded in a cloak of anonymity, a small cabal of angry opponents of the PLP has spewed venomous hate toward the Party and its members on this message board. These anonymous online hypocrites claim to be beyond race, but, use it at every opportunity to highlight our differences and advance their agenda. Consider this recent post, published in full:

"Yeah... it's like the qLq (derogatory term for PLP) has forced Bermudian whites to 'circle the wagons' and separate protect themselves from those in power. Including the Gangsters, as they have much power as well. A giant step backwards, but perhaps necessary for survival...."

Remember when the banks used to pull mortgages to advance their political interests? Well, this anonymous commenter wants to bring back those tactics:

"Been calling for a boycott a long time.... you will not see my money going to any business or service owned by anyone related to the PLP Government. Meanwhile I'll cash in on any and all the services they care to provide and jack the price up on anything they have to get from my businesses.

Finally, it's not just about the PLP leadership to these people. It's about PLP members and supporters. They have deep disdain and a fundamental lack of respect for the thousands of Bermudians who support the Progressive Labour Party:

"Many have been accused of referring to PLP voters as ignorant sheep or blind followers. If the shoe fits..."

While we encourage and support freedom of speech - including anonymous speech - comments alluding to violence and assassination must be taken seriously. Assassination is never a laughing matter. Given the tone set by commenters such as those on the anonymous message board and in the media, we must not deny that the potential for political violence exists in our society.