Bunny Wailer demands public apology after altercation with security at Bob Marley Museum

Following an incident which took place at the Bob Marley Museum on Wednesday involving reggae icon Bunny Wailer and a security guard at the facility the singer is demanding a public apology from the museum's administration.

This follows a statement released by the management at the museum which sought to give their account of the incident. According to a statement sent to The Sunday Gleaner, on the day of the incident (September 30), the museum was preparing to host the prime minister of Japan and the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, who would be visiting later that day. Under the directions of the local security officials, all patrons and staff were advised that tours of the property would be suspended from 11:15 a.m. to facilitate the sweep.

belligerent Bunny

The statement went on to explain that "It came to the attention of the museum staff that two guests to the museum, one of whom was Neville Livingston (Bunny Wailer), had made their way to the back of the museum and belligerently resisted the request of the security officers who asked all guests to make their way to the front of the museum as the police and Jamaica Defence Force were on their way to secure the property in advance."

It also closed with claims that the security guard was injured in the incident and stated that Livingston has been issuing threats to the Marley family for many years.

However, when The Sunday Gleaner contacted Livingston's manager, Maxine Stowe, she denied the museum's claims. Although admitting that Bunny Wailer did resist the security guard, Stowe said his actions were defensive. "He was then singled out by an aggressive security guard and was attacked," she said. "He wasn't asked to leave the premises, he was being attacked without reason. So, of course, he resisted. But he was being attacked."

Stowe also said Livingston was never advised of any security changes. "He did not know of any security changes," she explained. "He was allowed on to the premises and was there taking pictures with tourists while waiting for the tour to start when he was attacked."

She insisted that a public apology is warranted by the museum's administration in addition to relieving the guard of his duties at the facility. "This situation is asking for its own resolve, a public apology," she said. Take responsibility for the mismanagement of the visit by your administration and apologise."

She went on to say that "if there's an issue with him (Bunny Wailer) being there, then they should say it and advise security at the gate. Give notice if you don't want him there." Stowe also advised that Livingston reserves the right to press charges against the security guard and the museum and said that whatever injuries the security guard suffered were as a result of the whole ordeal and should not be placed solely on Bunny Wailer's shoulder.

shereita.grizzle@gleanerjm.com