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The Bahamas - Abaco Islands

Proposal
by Jaume Olle', 8 May 2003

Abaco Island

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Bahamas

Abaco Island

I heard about the flag that was proposed for "independent" Abaco island in Bahamas. Abaco was settled by many europeans from USA and it is an island which is a bit different from the rest of Bahamas. The Phoenix Fundation (anarchist-capitalist group) tried to establish the island independence. A party called Abaco Independence Movement was created and a new flag was proposed. At the end the movement couldn't reach popular support.
I don't know how the flag was ,but probably it was blue, with white lighthouse with rays of gold and black radiating from it.
Anyone can confirm it?
Jaume Ollé , 13 March 2000

Yes, there was such a flag proposed. There was no anarchist group on Abaco but rather a group advocating continued dependence and government under the U.K. There were petitions sent to Queen and Government but all fell through when the plan was rejected by the House of Commons. There was a newspaper established to support the movement and several demonstrations were held during a speech from the Primer when he was speaking on independence in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Three quarters of the adult population of Abaco supported this move but supported slumped as the years went on. The independence movement ended around 1974-5.
Dexter Russell, 31 May 2000

The Abaco Islands are a group of islands (the largest of which is Great Abaco) in the Bahamas. In the early 1970s, there was an Abaco Independence Movement (AIM), which sought an independent or separate Abaco in the event that the British government granted independence to the colony of the Bahamas (which it did in July 1973). AIM representatives flew to London and lobbied the British Government (Commons, Lords, and petition to Queen) to allow Abaco to become separate from any independent Bahamas. The requests were denied, and the entire Bahamas became independent.
The AIM flag showed a lighthouse (presumably the lighthouse at Hopetown) amidst a sunburst. A picture of the flag (in B/W) appears in Steve Dodge's: "Abaco: The History of An Out Island and Its Cays" (Decatur: White Sound Press 1983), page 129. This book also has a good discussion of the AIM and the reasons behind its activities.
James T. Liston, 4 May 2003

There were other flags flown in and around Abaco just prior to the Bahamas' independence. According to my friend, Brian Sinclair, a New York restaurateur, sailing enthusiast, owner of the islet in the Abaco group, and frequent visitor to Hopetown, the vast majority of the Abaco islanders, not having any desire to be included in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, were trying to convince the UK government to let them retain a status of British dependency on the Anguilla model (presidency).Some even opted for outright independence (AIM). In the months before the Bahamas' independence the islanders were vigorously displaying the Union flags and multitudes of yachts and sailing boats were also flying a proposed flag for Abaco - - the British Blue Ensign charged with the Abaco badge - a sailing ship on the light blue background resting o