Never go to the Bahamas AGAIN!!!!

[nycruiser914]

Reliable sources have reported that sometime around 2:00 AM Sunday, October 7, 2007, a squad of approximately fifty policeman from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Strike Squad raided and shut-down an annual party held at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nassau for the Black Gay Cruise.

Frighten patrons, both Gay American Tourist and Bahamians, were puzzled by the massive police presence, as there were no fights or any ruckess reported at the time of the police raid. Details are sketchy, but it has been said by an eye witness that an exotic dancer from Chicago was arrested by the police.

A Bahamian eyewitness said that she and her "girlfriend" could not understand why, during the course of the raid, that the police had several cam recorders "on" recording the faces of the patrons both inside the Hard Rock Cafe and as they exited the premises. In fact, she said that as the patrons were exiting the cafe, members of the police strike team verbally harassed them, calling them derogatory names, and asking the men, "why they want like man"...

She stated that she was taken aback by the unprofessional behavior of our Police. In fact, she said an American, who was present and was filming the party for the cruise organizers, kept his camera on during the entire episode. She said that he told her that he intends to put his film footage on television in the United States when he returns home. She also said that many of the American Tourist vowed never to return to the Bahamas.

Some likened the police raid to the infamous "Stonewall Riots" in New York City in 1969, where gays protested against police butality, and many believe this to be the turning point of the modern Gays Rights Movement in America. One Bahamian patron said that she was so upset by the incident that she intends to make a formal complaint to the Minister of National Security.

Apparently the "party", held on the last night of their stopover in Nassau, is arranged each year between the organizers of the Black Gay Cruise and the Hard Rock Cafe. It is said that entrance fee to the Party is apart of the package offered by the cruise organizers to their patrons. However, for several years now, the organizers have invited the local gay community and charged them a nominal fee to enter the party. Moreover, it has been said that disgruntled proprietors of the various gay clubs in New Providence feel slighted because the Black Gay Cruise Organizers choose the Hard Rock Cafe for their annual party, which they say is not a gay establishment

[CM Rob]

Do you have any links to any news stories talkking about it?

[Phil&Liz]

Yes its been a month now...where can we see the reports and footage ?

Phil & Liz

[nycruiser914]

Statement of

DaJuan M. Xavier

Executive Director

Ebony Pyramid Entertainment

October 11, 2007


Police Raid of Ebony Pyramid Cruise Event in The Bahamas



On our 8th Annual Black Gay and Lesbian Pride: Caribbean Cruisin', which occurred October 4-8, an unfortunate incident occurred. During our scheduled USA-Bahamas Party and Show, on October 6, attended by approximately 250 Ebony Pyramid (US citizens) guests and nearly 200 local Bahamian guests, local police raided our party location, shortly after 1:00 am.



Ebony Pyramid rented a public facility, but closed it for a private party. The doors of the facility were closed and the police entered without properly identifying themselves and proceeded upstairs to where our entertainment show was in progress. The dozen or so police were well armed in full riot-style gear. In addition to their gear, they entered the facility with one of the policeman videotaping the crowd. The remaining officers were using their camera phones to snap pictures of the attendees. They proceeded to the dance floor, where one of my female exotic entertainers was performing, in a golden bikini, and forcefully walked her from the floor.



After taking the female entertainer to another part of the facility, I attempted to inquire as to what was going on, but was pushed away and threatened with arrest for "obstruction." I continued to assert myself and identified myself as being responsible for the party and the entertainer. The lead policeman, who still had not identified himself, asked me my name and in an unpleasant tone, "What do you think you are doing here?" I explained that we had rented the facility for our party. He barked, "Where is your license? Show me your license!" I found the manager of the facility, who promptly produced all of the proper licenses to hold a private party, such as ours.



In our informational and antagonistic exchange with this policeman, my staff and I were attempting to cover my female entertainer, but every attempt was thwarted by this unpleasant policeman and his troops. They slapped the clothes out of our hands or threw them on the ground. During the intense questioning of the female entertainer, the policeman called her a "whore" and a "prostitute" and asked her why she was coming to their country doing this? Several of my staff members and guests were pushed or threatened with arrest for attempting to assist the entertainer or for asking questions. I again attempted to intervene, only to be told again to step back.



After about a half hour of this unpleasant policeman, a gentleman, who simply introduced himself as being from Immigrations, asked me a couple of questions. He, by far, was the most professional of the entire squad of officers inside, not to mention the four patrol cars and other officers outside. When I attempted to ask him questions, he politely motioned for me to wait and said he would be back.



Going into about 45 minutes of this ordeal, the Immigration official and the unpleasant policeman returned and called me over. The Immigration official stated that, I must fill out the proper permits to employ someone in The Bahamas and since we did not, I, along with my female entertainer, could be arrested, but he would just let us off with a warning and said, "That's from the standpoint of Immigration." He then pointed to the unpleasant policeman, who said, "From the standpoint of the Police (this is the first time he ever identified himself as the police), you cannot just have a gathering like this. So you need to shut it down!" He then slammed his hand on the bar and ordered the bartenders to "Shut it down!" After this, my staff gathered my female entertainer and other patrons and headed back to the ship.



First, I have questions! Why did this happen? This could not have been a routine patrol with a few police officers investigating a random situation. This was a full drawn out "raid"! Someone, along with the local police targeted us. Next, why did the police enter the establishment and never identify themselves? Why so many policemen? Why over-armed, if it were a violation of employment or suspected nudity? Why videotape and snap pictures of the attendees of the function? Why use derogatory names to my entertainer and the guests exiting the building? Why detain U.S. citizens and local Bahamians, without identifying who you are or stating any charges? Why order a facility shut down, if all the licenses are in order? Why treat your fellow man/woman with such disregard for humanity? Answer? To harass, intimidate, and frighten!



In addressing the allegations that my entertainer did not have the proper work permit, one of my directors, another entertainer, and I went to the port's Immigration and Customs office, one hour prior to the event, to inquire about the "Short Term Work Permit" and was told no one was available to answer our questions.



This was our eighth year in The Bahamas and we continue to return because we like the people and the culture. This incident is not a representation of The Bahamas we had previously experienced! Instead, it is the representation of those with some misguided authority, reflecting poorly on an otherwise great place. In my years of visits to The Bahamas, cruising, resorting, and relaxing with friends, I have come to know nothing but pride and love in The Bahamas people, not the hate displayed by this group of misguided policemen! In the past, when I would ask local police for assistance, they were very accommodating, so I do not want it to go on record that I am condemning the entire force, just the militant assembly that gathered at our event.



While some of my associates think that we should boycott The Bahamas, I feel that we should not punish the whole for a few. I plan on returning to The Bahamas for our ninth year and Caribbean Cruisin' 2008. But, before I do, I want some official answers to my questions. I think an apology from the Commissioner of the Police is also in due order. Additionally, I would also like to work with and seek assurances from the Ministry of Tourism that an incident, like this, will not occur again, as long as we meet all the requirements asked of us. I request this only to set the minds of our new and returning guests at ease. It is imperative for any guest in a foreign country to feel welcome and appreciated and this was clearly not our experience that fateful evening. Continued discussions about this incident will help these officers realize that LGBT people are just like other tourists, law-abiding and just looking to relax and enjoy the beauty of The Bahamas.


Media Inquiries for
Ebony Pyramid Entertainment

Cruise@ebonypyramidonline.com
Toll Free 1-866-473-5033 ext. 0
Media Inquiries for
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Tourism@bahamas.com
242-302-2000

[nycruiser914]

Tourism ministry issues apology to gay tourists

Oct 16/07

By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter

krystel@nasguard.com

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has assured Ebony Pyramid Entertainment, the group whose annual party was "raided" by police two weeks ago, that it does not condone discrimination of any form, following claims that the homosexual community was being targeted.

In a letter addressed to the executive director of Ebony Pyramid Entertainment DaJuan Xavier, the ministry expressed regret that the group's visit to the Bahamas "included an incident which involved the Royal Bahamas Police Force."

"Certainly you know from your previous visits that we are happy to welcome the millions of guests who visit each year and we are especially delighted when persons, as you and your clients do, return year after year," said the letter, signed by Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine.

The written communication came after Ebony Pyramid Entertainment demanded a public, published apology from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and assurances from the Ministry of Tourism that their annual event will not be targeted again to "intimidate" homosexuals. The group received one of their two demands. The Executive Director said he is still awaiting an apology from the RBPF.

The police "raid" on their October 6 party which was attended by over 200 lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) tourists was nothing more than a poorly disguised attempt to harass, intimidate, and frighten the homosexual community, Xavier said in a release addressed to the MOT.

Meanwhile the letter explained that the Ministry did not have all of the specifics of what transpired at the party.

"At this time, our understanding is that the police were responding to a request from the venue. Our police are obligated to investigate such calls to ensure that public gathering places remain safe and orderly for citizens and visitors. We are awaiting the police force's official statement on the matter, but do however, wish to assure you that the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation does not condone discrimination in any form. We can say that our goal, for every one of the five million people who visit The Bahamas each year is that their visit with us comfortable enjoyable and safe. Please accept our regrets," the letter stated.

In the meantime, Xavier said he will not allow this isolated incident to affect his relationship with The Bahamas, which he described as a fruitful one.

"This was our eighth year in The Bahamas and we continue to return because we like the people and the culture. This incident is not a representation of The Bahamas we had previously experienced. Instead, it is the representation of those with some misguided authority, reflecting poorly on an otherwise great place. In my years of visits to The Bahamas, cruising, resorting and relaxing with friends, I have come to know nothing but pride and love in The Bahamian people, not the hate displayed by this group of misguided policemen," Xavier said.

He added that in the past, police have been very accommodating and because of that he did not want it to go on record condemning the entire force, just the "militant assembly that gathered at our event," he stated.

Despite discouragement from associates, Xavier said he does plan to return to The Bahamas for his group's ninth annual Caribbean cruise in 2008. But before he does, he wants some official answers to his questions.

"I think an apology from the Commissioner of Police is also in due order. Additionally, I would also like to work with and seek assurances from the Ministry of Tourism that an incident like this will not occur again, as long as we meet all the requirements asked of us," he said.

According to the Executive Director these requests were made in an effort to put new and returning guests of Ebony Pyramid Entertainment at ease.

"It is imperative for any guest in a foreign country to feel welcome and appreciated and this was clearly not our experience that fateful evening," he added.

"Continued discussions about this incident will help these officers realize that LGBT people are just like other tourists, law-abiding and just looking to relax and enjoy the beauty of The Bahamas