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BIU demands apology for Brannon's 'racist' remarks

Chris Furbert

Bermuda Industrial Union yesterday demanded entertainer Tony Brannon issue a public apology over scathing remarks he made about black Bermudians and the union.

Earlier this week, activist Mr. Brannon released a string of criticisms about the union on popular website YouTube, which is visited by millions of people daily. In messages posted on the website, Mr. Brannon called for an open discussion on “who really killed tourism” — saying he believed it was “surly” black Bermudians, “egged on by the BIU”.

Union president Chris Furbert responded angrily by calling a press conference yesterday. In a strongly-worded statement, he demanded Mr. Brannon apologise for his “racist” remarks, which he said had offended black people and BIU members.

Last night, Mr. Brannon said he stood by his belief that the union’s actions in the 1970s and 80s had caused problems for tourism by creating hostile vibes in hotels.

He said that if the union would acknowledge it had played a part in the decline of tourism, he would apologise for any offence caused by his remarks.

At the press conference, Mr. Furbert said: “We at the Bermuda Industrial Union are alarmed that Mr. Brannon, who relies on Bermudians for the success of his business at Hawkins Island, would make such an untrue, insulting and racist statement about the majority of Bermudians who make up not only the Bermuda workforce, but that of the tourist industry as well.

“Further, he adds insult to injury by attributing the decline of tourism to the Bermuda Industrial Union. “This statement by Mr. Brannon is not only untrue, it completely discounts the tremendous amount of work that has been carried on by the hotel employers of Bermuda to turn around tourism that began declining in the early 80s.”

Mr. Furbert pointed out that researchers had attributed Bermuda’s tourism difficulties to a long-term decline in the demand for the Island’s product.

He said other destinations had simply caught up in recent years by learning from Bermuda’s example in selling climate, beautiful beaches, personal safety and friendly people. Mr. Furbert continued: “Mr. Brannon needs also to explain to Bermudians, the majority of whom are black, why he thinks they would deliberately destroy the most vital part of their existence.

“If this man had any kind of conscience, he would offer a sincere public apology to black Bermudians whom he has offended and members of the Bermuda Industrial Union for making such an untrue, racist utterance in a country in which race relations are so delicately balanced.”

Mr. Brannon said last night: “I’m not talking about 2005, 2006 or 2007, or the last eight years of the PLP’s record. I’m talking about something that happened in Bermuda that in my opinion happened to cause the demise of tourism.

“The attitude of the union in those days was very difficult to deal with. If they will own up to admit that they played a role in the demise of tourism, I will be quite happy to apologise to anyone who feels that I have offended them. I’m now talking about where we came from, not all the good work that’s been going on lately.”

Mr. Brannon’s YouTube messages were posted in the comments section to a video featuring Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown promoting tourism on the Island.

Mr. Brannon stated: “Dr. Brown has said he wants to have an open discussion about race. Well, I want an open discussion on who really killed tourism.

“I say it was nasty ayesttitudes (sic) and surly service by — yes — ‘black Bermudians’ egged on by the BIU. “It was the BIU/PLP (now our Government) that created hostile vibes in Bermuda hotels in the late 70s and 80s. “People like Bill Marriott was quoted as saying if he had his life to live over he would do exactly the same except own a hotel in Bermuda.”

Referring to the current state of tourism, he posted: “Today we have almost no entertainment left in our hotels, the place is boring. Bermuda only has a five-month tourism window for weather, May - October, and only three months are booming, June, July and August.”

BIU demands an apology from Tony Brannon