JULIAN HUNTE MIGHT be viewed as a maverick by some, and unpredictable, at times, by others.
But, says the flamboyant environmentalist, he is a true Barbadian. Therefore it came as a complete shock to the activist when he was “barred” from attending last week’s World Environmental Day Global Celebrations at Independence Square.
A distressed Hunte told the MIDWEEK NATION that on approaching Independence Square, he was approached by a police officer who informed him that he would not be allowed to enter.
“I made sure to put on my special suit, which I call my ceremonial garment. I did some research and I fashioned it after the clothes which were worn in the 1860s rebellion,” he explained.
“It is made of cotton, and I specifically got it made in the colours of blue and gold to represent the colours of the national flag…I wear it to any environmental event that I go to, so it wasn’t to say this was the first time I put it on,” Hunte added.
He said he left home with a Barbados flag adorned with ackees and a conch shell and caught a taxi to Bridgetown in anticipation of attending the high profile event.
His excitement was short lived though, when he exited the taxi and made his way towards the venue, only to be halted in his tracks by the officer.
“When I got near Independence Square, a stout uniformed policeman approached me and asked me where I was going. I told him I was here for the ceremony and he told me I couldn’t attend . . . I asked him why I couldn’t pass, and told him that I saw an advertisement in the newspaper which stated that all Barbadians were welcomed . . . but he still wouldn’t allow me to pass,” he said.
Hunte revealed he left and went onto the nearby Chamberlain Bridge where he listened to some of the speakers including Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
He said he made his way onto the Charles Duncan O’Neale Bridge where he stood for a while, waving his flag and blowing his conch shell.
And when he attempted to enter the celebrations from that end, the same police officer spotted him and cut him off once again.
“I don’t know why he wouldn’t allow me to enter. The thing is a lot of people were telling me how good
I had looked and even when it was finished, some of the guys from the United Nations came over and took pictures of me,” Hunte stated.
“I am a Barbadian like anyone else and I don’t know why other people were allowed to enter Independence Square but I wasn’t.
I have devoted my life to the environment, so I do not know why the police would treat me like this,” he complained.
Hunte insisted that after years of service to Barbados, he was especially disheartened to have been treated in that manner.
He recalled how he worked on projects such as Harrison’s Cave and the Wildlife Reserve with the Government, as well as opening the Outdoor Club of Barbados back in 1985.
“I’ve been responsible for bringing thousands of tourists to Barbados over the years. This is my life,” Hunte said.
When asked about a comment on the complaint, police public relations officer, Inspector David Welch said he would have to investigate the matter.
