Chris Furbert has called on opponents of the airport redevelopment project to “show up” at Union Square this morning as MPs prepare to debate legislation paving the way for the new terminal.

The president of the Bermuda Industrial Union’s rallying call came on the eve of the parliamentary debate of two airport Acts that has been repeatedly postponed and sparked protests on December 2.

Meanwhile, Michael Dunkley urged those against the redevelopment project to “exercise their democratic right in the appropriate way”.

“I urge anyone who is interested to come out and listen to the proceedings, and anyone who is not comfortable with the two pieces of legislation to exercise their democratic right in the appropriate way,” Mr Dunkley said.

“We live in a vibrant democracy, and Members should be allowed to get in to the House and do what they have to do.

“Let’s have the debate in the House, where it should be happening.”

At yesterday’s press conference, Mr Furbert said that the country was at “a crossroads” as he called on the “silent majority” to gather at Union Square in Hamilton at 8am today.

Asked if he had given any instructions to union members about whether or not to allow MPs to get into the House, he replied: “I have not given them any instructions.

“I have called on everyone to show up and at that point we will give people instructions about what they are going to do.”

Mr Furbert insisted that the House of Assembly grounds belonged to the “people of this country” and added: “People should have the right to protest freely.”

Asked if he believed MPs should be allowed into the House this morning to debate the airport legislation, he replied: “Our position has always been that MPs should have access to the House if they are doing the people’s business.

“The airport legislation is not the people’s business because they do not have the people’s mandate for it.”

Mr Furbert encouraged parents to bring their children and told the media that he would be taking his teenage daughter out of school tomorrow so “she can witness history”.

Mr Furbert dismissed reports in this newspaper that he suggested there was strong support for the airport redevelopment plan.

He also rejected the findings of the Blue Ribbon Panel, which yesterday concluded that the airport project was a good deal for the country.

“The panel was appointed by the Minister of Finance; as a result it was going to get the result he was looking for,” Mr Furbert said.

The president of the BIU said: “Bermuda has to be the laughing stock of the world that we are now having someone build a new airport for us, and we are going to have someone else run it for the next 30 years.”

He added: “When will we get a chance to run the airport for ourselves?

‘Bermuda should be incensed by this deal. Are we being set up to fail? This should be a concern to every construction worker in the country.”

Asked if there would be disruption to public services, Mr Furbert replied: “I cannot say whether there will be any public disruption at the moment; we will be holding another meeting at 5.30pm.”

By the time this paper went to press no additional information had been provided about potential public services disruption.

The Royal Gazette also tried to contact the People’s Campaign yesterday for comment, but none was forthcoming.

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