Antigua and Barbuda National Hero Sir Vivian Richards is being threatened to stay out of the political discourse by an Antigua Labour Party-aligned operative who appears regularly on the radio station Pointe FM.
Last Saturday, July 11, Sir Viv called into Observer Radio’s Snake Pit programme to add his commendation to a litany of praise for Harold Lovell, Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP).
The Hero’s remarks were published in today’s Daily Observer and also online. In the comments section, Audley Joseph, widely known as “Beef,” makes disparaging remarks about Sir Viv’s endorsement, saying that, “politically, Sir Vivian Richards is a joke.”
However, he takes the matter much farther on his Facebook page: “Be warned …. If you put yourself in the political fray, what comes along with that will come along also,” Beef writes in capital letters.
The threat has been met with shock and indignation by persons with whom the post was shared. Most view it as not only offensive, but downright disrespectful to the country’s most prominent and internationally well-regarded citizen.
One citizen, who calls himself a proud Antiguan, tells REAL News that the Police should be taking this threat seriously, given the “climate of violence” now defining Antigua.
Meanwhile, a member of the diaspora known to many as “Bombshell” Romeo says he recalls an earlier endorsement of Lovell generating a firestorm from Labour Party supporters decades ago.
In defence of the National Hero, he says that “Viv has always stood on the right side of social justice, unlike politicians on this side of the ocean.”
“Sir Viv’s name is heralded by many for his commitment and dignified stance throughout his career. Viv, the Lionheart, has never compromised his beliefs, never sold out his country, but always upheld the dignity of Black people.”
And in support of the position taken by Richards, Bombshell adds: “Harold Lovell is the best person to lead the country.”
Joseph, meanwhile, is known for pushing the agenda of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who, himself, has made a career out of attacking Lovell.
Accordingly, in response to Joseph’s post, one woman asks: “Is World Boss alone have mouth to chat in Antigua?”
