Scores of Barbadians took to the streets on Saturday in support of veteran broadcaster and entertainer Ronnie De Announcer Clarke, who was recently dismissed by Starcom Network.
With Clarke’s controversial National Carol Festival song and other calypsos blaring from speakers under overcast skies, the march from Kensington Mall to Independence Square in The City attracted people from all walks of life.
Some placards read, ‘Sing Ronnie, Sing!’, ‘We walk for all those who are scared to walk’, and ‘When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty’, as passers-by cheered them on.
There were calls for transparency, support for artistic expression and appeals for national unity. Speakers stressed that the issue extended far beyond any single artist.
The noticeably low turnout of creatives drew criticism from President of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), Sean “Apache” Carter.
“It is disheartening that we did not see more Barbadian artistes today; however, the association has stood by and supported Clarke from the beginning of this episode,” he said.
Describing Clarke as “one of the best broadcasters the country has ever seen,” Carter insisted that “freedom of expression and artistic expression is not an option, it is a must”. Artistic work, he argued, is central to national identity: “It is who we are.” If creators are suppressed, he warned, the entire industry will suffer.
However, Carter made it clear that the call for artistic freedom was not a push for unlimited licence. “It is not about giving rights to artists to do and say anything. There are already laws that govern that. Instead, the concern is unjust suppression and unjust victimisation, which we cannot stand for,” he said.
After much anticipation, Clarke took centre stage to loud cheers from the crowd.
He reflected on his professional journey and said the ongoing situation had removed him from a role in which he believed he belonged. He spoke about his time as a programme manager, his separate persona as a calypsonian, and his long-standing, unblemished record with both the National Cultural Foundation and his former employer Starcom Network. He also noted that he had received an award for outstanding service as recently as December 2024, countering any claims of poor performance.
According to Clarke, “There was always a clear distinction between my roles as a broadcaster and a calypsonian.”
He added that he personally curated the soundtrack for the march, requesting music from a wide range of artistes. “If calypso is about freedom of speech, it can’t be just about De Announcer. There are many who paved the way and many more who shall come. This is above party, and this is above demographics,” he declared.
Organisers said their objective was to advocate for fair treatment, greater openness and the protection of creative expression. They emphasised that the matter was broader than any one individual and raised essential questions about freedom of speech and equity.
Starcom Network Inc. has denied that Clarke’s dismissal was linked to his performance of the controversial calypso during this year’s Pic-O-De-Crop competition, stating instead that the decision followed a formal disciplinary process relating to internal company matters. (DT)
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