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Opposition Congratulates CPR
Opposition Members welcome and congratulate the cruise pier campaigners for reaching the threshold required to trigger a People's Initiated Referendum.
The newly elected Leader of the Opposition, Arden McLean said:
"The Official Opposition Members support and applaud the cruise pier campaigners in achieving a historic first. Their determination in the face of the Government machinery operating against them is a triumph for people power and the steadfast belief that Governments should work for, work with and not work against its people.
Their victory is therefore a victory for all of us who believe and embrace the democratic principles that so many have fought for and continue to do so.
The proposed Cruise Berthing Facility is the largest infrastructure project this country has ever considered, and more importantly, the outcome, if built as proposed, will impact generations to come and have a lasting impact on our environment.
We all must share this planet and it is disheartening, disappointing and dispiriting to see the Government refusing to engage transparently on the financial as well as the environmental impact of this project. Despite being aware that the campaign has reached the required threshold, the Premier is still in denial.
While the real work is yet to come, we are encouraged that the Caymanian people have demonstrated their intention to embrace participatory democracy, but we must express our disappointment in the Governments abject failure to follow suit."
Following last week’s announcement that the grass roots community group had reached the constitutionally required 25% threshold on its petition, the group are hosting a public meeting this Thursday 30th May at George Town Town Hall from 6pm - 8pm to share with the public the latest updates on the process for a people initiated referendum and other related information.
The grassroots community group confirmed in writing to the Premier on 24th May 2019 that they had collected and internally verified over 5,300 signatures of Cayman Islands registered voters on the petition for the people initiated referendum on the proposed cruise berthing facility, in accordance with Section 70 of the Cayman Islands Constitution 2009.
Following a meeting today between CPR Cayman and the Elections Office, the petition is currently being prepared to be delivered to Elections Office to begin the official verification process.
The collection of signatures remains ongoing to safely exceed the minimum requirement, and registered voters who have not yet signed the petition are encouraged to sign right away to be a part of Cayman Islands history in the making.
The public are invited to attend this informative event and be apart of this historic moment as the country moves towards its first people initiated referendum.
More information on Thursday’s event please visit the event Facebook Event page, CPR Cayman’s Facebook Page or call 327-5411. People can also contact cprcayman@gmail.com. The event will start promptly at 6pm and refreshments will be served.
Cruise Port Referendum Cayman is a grassroots initiative of concerned citizens advocating for a democratic approach to the decision-making for the proposed cruise berthing facility.
Petition booklets are still available at the following businesses around Cayman: Rubis Savannah, Four Winds Esso & Hell Gas Station in West Bay, Silhoutte in Camana Bay and Pure Art and Cathy Church Photo Centre in George Town. Registered voters who wish to have the petition brought to them, at home or at work, can call 327-5411.
Organisers continue to encourage people not registered to vote but eligible to do so and interested in participating to register at the Elections Office.
