Friday, 20 November 2009
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Fiji Soldiers Banned from Nightclub because of Frank Bainimarama
A nightclub has defended its decision to refuse entry to Fijian soldiers despite claims the ban amounts to discrimination.
The Chapel on Milford Street banned the soldiers, who are members of the British Army, after a series of incidents in the club, but after being contacted by the Journal and the police the club owner has said he will modify the restriction.
But the move has been branded as unfair by clubbers including Emily Borrelli, 21, whose Fijian boyfriend, Lance Bombardier Waisake Waqa, was turned away.
“I understand there has been some trouble in the past but my boyfriend has never been involved,” she said. “It seems very unfair to have a blanket ban on a whole nation.
“These are serving members of the Army - they are called heroes for fighting in Afghanistan but they are not allowed to go to their local nightclub. A ban on the grounds of nationality seems very wrong.”
L/bmdr Waqa, who has been in the British Army for five years, is based at Tidworth and is serving with the Royal Artillery in Afghanistan.
He was back for a two-week break when he and Miss Borrelli, a student from Woodfalls who is studying at Bristol University, were enjoying a Saturday night out in Salisbury. They queued up for The Chapel, which is where they met almost a year ago, but l/bmdr Waqa was refused entry.
“The doorman just stopped him coming in,”said Miss Borrelli. “I tried to argue but they wouldn’t let him in. “There are no notices up saying this is the policy. There are lots of Jamaicans and boys from St Vincent in Waisake’s regiment but they’re still allowed in there - it’s only Fijians.
“I won’t be going back in there while this ban is in place, it’s very unfair. Waisake is back in Afghanistan now but was very upset about it.”
The ban was imposed after an incident in September when 16 Fijian soldiers were evicted from the club for spitting at bar staff and groping women.
Owner of The Chapel, Jonty Newbery, said there had been a number of cases of bad behaviour by Fijian soldiers over the last six years, and this is the third time such a ban has been put in place.
“It’s a case of a handful ruining it for everybody else,” he said. “In this case, the soldiers had drunk too much and their behaviour was totally unacceptable.
“It took ten door staff and six police officers to get them out of the club. This is nothing to do with racism. It is simply to ensure public safety and to ensure this is not repeated.
“We have another 400 people who are barred from the club. We would do exactly the same if soldiers from other regiments were not well behaved.”
He said he had not realised until being contacted by the Journal that there was not a specific Fijian regiment and, following talks with the police, the ban will now only be applied to those involved in the September incident.
An Army spokesman could not comment on The Chapel’s decision but said there are about 2,000 Fijians serving with the British Army, predominantly in the Royal Artillery and infantry regiments, with many based on Salisbury Plain.
“They are a very valuable and much appreciated asset,” she said. “If the behaviour of any soldier falls short of the high standards expected by the Army or any offence is committed under the Armed Forces Act they are dealt with administratively which can include discharge. Responsible drinking is an established way of team bonding but the Army has a comprehensive alcohol awareness programme.”
Salisbury News per Jill Harding 11-19-09
Photo Courtesy of Luveiviti
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