The desire to curb the upsurge in violent acts in our schools and in the island generally has recently commanded the attention of Anguilla’s leaders. This was reflected in the motion moved by the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly, Mr. Merrick Richardson, to form a Select Committee to address gun crime and violence. Parliamentary members spoke eloquently in support of the motion.
Regrettably, on the very same day, 23rd May, 2023, that the elected members demonstrated a united front in the battle against gun crime and violence the conduct of an elected member called into question her commitment to pursuing a reduction in violence. The minister’s use of threatening language, including the threat to kill, and her use of expletives, while engaging with a private citizen in a public place did not serve to advance the commitment espoused mere hours before, in the House of Assembly.
In typical Anguilla fashion many of the views expressed since the incident appear to reflect party support rather than to objectively consider the appropriateness of the minister’s conduct, particularly in the face of Anguilla’s increasing spate of violent crimes. In their support of the minister’s conduct, just like the minister, some persons have pointed out that she is human. Others, who have taken issue with the minister’s conduct, have pointed out that this is a claim that is also available to the many human beings serving prison sentences for violent crimes. To err is indeed human but one must also accept that human error comes with consequences and the consequences are usually expected to match the magnitude of the error.
Other persons, when seeking to support the conduct of the minister, have referenced past conduct of ministers. Two such persons are Eric Reid in 1986 and Kenneth Harrigan in 2008. The former, physically assaulted Mr. Hubert Hughes as they were exiting the House of Assembly in response to what he claimed were false accusations of theft made by Mr. Hughes against him during the sitting. Mr. Harrigan was in possession of two firearms that he had failed to licence, and one of which he had discharged, allegedly in the air on his premises. Both Ministers were charged, appeared before the court, admitted their guilt and were sentenced.
To seek to justify acts of violence by a minister today, by reference to past acts of minsters is irresponsible and suggests a lack of maturity and understanding on the part of persons promoting such an argument in support of violent acts by a minister.
Anguilla is being plagued by acts of violence. The recent press release by the Commissioner of Police in relation to a social media post placing a bounty of $5,000.00 each on six police officers, and calling for them to be dead before carnival is a sign of the depths of depravity to which Anguilla has sunk.
In the face of the scourge of violence, which we must currently combat, any acts or words that lend support to acts of violence must be condemned. Minister Quincia Gumbs-Marie was correct in referring to conduct of parliamentarians, when she asked her colleagues how they expected the people who look to them for guidance to replicate something that they have not seen. It is unfortunate that her words and actions as she later engaged with a private citizen in a public place did not reflect her words in support of the motion to establish a Select Committee of the House of Assembly to address gun crime and violence.
To err is indeed human but to knowingly and deliberately perpetuate that error should not be attributed to human error. If we are to truly build an Anguilla that is proud, strong and free we must all do and be better.
