CPR activist’s tyres slashed during meeting
(CNS): When Mario Rankin, one of the Cruise Port Referendum activists and a leading advocate for a ‘no’ vote in the upcoming poll, left the CPR public meeting last night, he found that someone had slashed all four tyres of the truck he had arrived in. Rankin’s son drove him to the West Bay meeting, and it was his son’s truck that was damaged. With no CCTV cameras in place to identify the culprits, Rankin said an investigation would be a waste of police resources. but he told CNS his concerned was for his son.
Many people on social media jumped to the conclusion that the vandalism was politically motivated, but Rankin said he just wants people to know that if they were hoping to get at him for his position on the port, they had targetted an innocent person. Now he worries that the vehicle has become associated with him even though it belongs to his son, who may now be in danger.
Rankin raised concerns about the language being used by some politicians and the constant name calling of those in the CPR group. He believes this has made them targets of the supporters of some government MLAs, who believe they have been given the green light to go after those labelled as political enemies.
Rankin appears to have become the first victim of the escalating polarization, which is undoubtedly being fuelled both in the Legislative Assembly and on social media by MLAs and their supporters.
House Speaker McKeeva Bush, who has in the last few weeks taken a hard line against those opposing the port project, has again been making allegations on social media and engaging in more angry exchanges.
Rankin said that he was worried that the current outpouring of public sentiment against the port and what elected officials in government see as a challenge to their right to lead and set policy is causing deep divisions.
During his speech at the meeting Johann Moxam noted that the cruise port referendum is the first time that the government has been made to really be accountable to the people in between election cycles.
“We have a democratic right to ask questions,” he said, noting that the level of engagement by members of the public, who are openly questioning the wisdom of government policy, has never happened before.
Moxam said, “For the first time Cayman has said to government, ‘Oi! We are not buying what you are selling!'” They are not handling it well, but that is democracy and it’s their problem, he added..
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Category: development, Local News, Politics
I am from the district of West Bay and I am ashamed that this incident happened in West Bay or that it even happened on the island. In West Bay during the last two to three election’s we could not even fly the Cayman Island flag on our car without it being pelted. v
National Vote…the Governor and his colleagues are laughing there pants off…
I bet that if you canvas the employees of tour boat companies, someone, and perhaps many, will know exactly who the school-flunking punks are that are now high-fiving with XXXXX, and taking credit for this.
Premier Alden McLaughlin, please come out and publically speak out AGAINST this behavior now. This is NOT how I want my Cayman Islands to go.
Ummm, your leaders (much like mine in the US) aren’t really leaders. Don’t expect much.
This happened in Jamaica in the 80s. Dispute between the political parties turned into violence and an all out street war in Kingston. If we don’t stop this madness soon Cayman could go down a very violent path…
Let’s learn from what’s happening in Hong Kong, or Venezuela!
This is a true shame. Who’s to say it wasn’t 1 of the same politicians that is trying to push through this crazy port deal behind this coward act. Really makes 1 wonder when these things are happening. Where’s the governor on this situation, wonder if he’s on the premier bandwagon too why he’s quiet and hasn’t spoken out about this issue. Mario I hope you and your entire family will be ok, same for you as well Mr. Moxam and your family.
Regardless of our opinion on the port such action must be condemned whom ever did it. .
It really surprises me that none of the elected members in West Bay have made a statement condemning this heinous act..Come on. what is Cayman coming to?
Vote No
It seems Govt supporters have made frequent use of bots, and now they are even stooping to vandalism, a sign of desperation.
This how it began in Jamaica, then came the shootings and murders between the political parties. If the government does not step up to the plate and denounce this type of behavior, then her majesty governor needs to intervene and put a stop to this madness. This incident should be investigated fully and the culprits arrested and prosecuted to the fullest of the law. If we do not make an example out of this, there will more and more reoccurring incidents.
Gee, I wonder who’s fan base is in West Bay…
More like whose baffoon base is in WB
What is Cayman becoming?
This reminds me how the political violence started in countries like in Jamaica and Honduras. Where is the Governor?
This criminal and thuggish mob like behavior is encouraged by the elected government. The intention is to intimidate and strike fear into the minds of the people. Things will only get worse. None of your politicians will condemn it because they need Cayman to officially become a banana republic for the corruption and abuse of office to continue and thrive.
Plus it guarantees them a way to keep their jobs in parliament long term which is the primary objective. We watched it happen throughout the region and in the African colonies. In fact, we taught these destabilizing methods to those persons we identified as easy to control to protect our interests. Cayman is now on a very dangerous path.
R.I.P. Tourism
God we becoming like Jamaica.
This is wrong on all levels, where are our leaders? why are they not speaking out against this? Cayman is not known for this and if it starts now, there will be no need to build a PORT sea or air. We are a civilized society I believe, and do not need to resort to this kind of acts\/behavior. Primer, speak up, or shut to hell up! or step down…….
Oh so brave, slashing tyres. No guts to have a public discussion about their pro port beliefs they resort to intimidation tactics. The majority (no voters) will prevail. Now lets get these people arrested and jailed for criminal damage, amongst other things.
West Bay, amirite? Tells you ALL you need to know.
Disgusting and pathetic.
Sign,
CaymanKind
What a SHAME!! Caymanians we are better than this. Please do not make these corrupt Politicians keep reducing your standards. It is your rights to agree to disagree and your beliefs should not have to cause you fears for your family or property. Go out Vote your conscious.
I’ll do my part I will vote NO, because I have not been convinced by the Government that this is best for the Cayman Islands 🇰🇾. Yes Cayman Island, because if we get this wrong this will be felt in Sister islands as well.
All vehicles must have cameras these days. Especially CPR leaders cars. Anyone is willing to sponsor? A repair shop that would donate tires and labor? United we stand!
That was more likely someone against Mario not necessarily the CPR.
You sound guilty
Found the culprit!
Shows what kind of a***holes we’re dealing with on the pro-port side doesn’t it? Let’s hope it doesn’t escalate into drive-by shootings!
The CPR group have been making their case calmly and respectfully, yet the premier, speaker and their colleagues have been very disrespectful and now have inadvertently encouraged these kind of acts.
is this any way to lead a country?
These are our great heroes, we need to suspend the current government and put mr mario and mr Johnathone in charge, they will lead us good. CNS is the best too.
RCIP and the governor need to launch a special investigation into this hate crime. Get Scotland Yard in here now.
OK Mr. Premier. You are a leader. Publicly and forcefully denounce this act. Looking forward to it.
Before the Cayman Islands completely disintegrates in to one of the most dangerous places in the Caribbean due to it’s government, Governor Roper needs to reel this people in, right away.
There will be shootings, riots, and killings in the street. And you might think that is a wild and drastic comment but the things I have been seeing as of late in the news about the Cayman Islands, it’s becoming not far fetched at all.
Scary and worrying times when the government is attacking the populace.
Keep up the fight Mario and Johann, if the people weren’t behind you you wouldn’t have gotten this far
These government goons represent the worst of Cayman and should be voted out in 2021