Sint Maarten Pride Foundation

24/06/2026

Congratulations to our colleagues at Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) this award is very well deserved!

22/06/2026

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/supplements/weekender/deedee-johnson-on-taking-part-in-the-first-forum-for-european-environmental-human-rights-defenders
Earlier this month, Sint Maarten/ Saba's very own Deedee Johnson participated in the First Forum for European Environmental Human Rights Defenders at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.

Congrats Deedee A Johnson keep up the impressive work you are doing towards protecting our islands' environment both locally and abroad!

Deedee Johnson has been traveling back and forth between Sint Maarten, the Netherlands, and other countries for work, knowledge and networking over...

12/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BdRpE5MRc/

Sounds very familiar!

The preservation of the island’s rich architectural legacy is facing what a renowned expert on Barbadian architecture describes as an unprecedented crisis, with successive administrations accused of a total failure of political will to safeguard the nation’s historic built environment.

📸: File photo

Continue reading more here: https://bit.ly/4uA56UW

10/06/2026

A community meeting is scheduled to discuss ongoing concerns regarding developments and the historic bridge. 👏🏾

Show up and let's discuss the urgent matters with the honorable minister of Vromi Mr. P Gumbs in a constructive manner. Agenda points will be shared and you can bring forth your concerns. Looking forward to your attendance and participation!!

05/06/2026

A national monument is not something to be fenced off, cut in half, or treated as an obstacle to development!

The 1933 Simpson Bay Bridge (and associated structures) is part of Sint Maarten's history. It tells the story of how communities were connected long before the island became the tourism destination we know today. Yet construction activities continue to encroach on the monument and its historical setting.

Now, the public is being told that fencing is being done to "protect" the bridge. But:

•⁠ ⁠Why is the monument's full historical footprint not respected?
•⁠ ⁠Why were heritage stakeholders not consulted?
•⁠ ⁠Where is the public access to a national monument?
•⁠ ⁠Why has heavy equipment repeatedly operated near and on a protected heritage site?

Protecting a monument means preserving its integrity, its surroundings, and the public's ability to appreciate it, not isolating it behind fences.

Heritage belongs to the people of Sint Maarten. Once it is damaged or lost, it cannot be replaced.

We call on the relevant authorities to immediately clarify what is happening at the site, publish all permits and approvals related to the works, and ensure that the Simpson Bay Bridge Monument is protected!

Future generations deserve more than photographs of what we failed to protect.

03/06/2026

Here we go again! What is going on by the old Simpson Bay Bridge Monuments? Must every monument on Sint Maarten be destroyed? This needs to be stopped and immediate clarity needs to be given by the Minister of MECYS Department of Culture - MECYS and Minister Patrice Gumbs - Minister of VROMI

The members and representatives of the Ozkan family the owners of the Princess International Casino and Hotel Group and their contractors continue to do as they please when they please!! How is it that they have such a chokehold on our ministries on our government?

Parliament of Sint Maarten Government of Sint Maarten Governor of Sint Maarten

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1acCZt6HnR/

26/05/2026

If every day the bucket a-go a well one day the bottom a-go drop out!!
For too many years “development” has been taking place in Simpson Bay, along the Simpson Bay Lagoon, on our Sandy beaches and Rocky coastlines, in Maho, Lowlands, in Pelican, in Cole Bay, Cay Bay, in Cay Hill, Little Bay, Cul-de-Sac, Dutch Quarter, Suckergarden, Pointe Blanch, Upper and Lower Prince’s Quarter, in Town (Great Bay), in practically every district and neighborhood on Sint Maarten without consulting residents.

A relatively small group of deep pocketed developers have secured numerous permits and permissions from successive Governments, Ministers of VROMI over the past decade and seem to have a stranglehold on this Country. Their financial interests apparently outweigh the interests and wellbeing of the population.

In many cases the developments clearly contradict the draft zoning plans which were consulted upon extensively by Government with the Public. Developers more often than not start works without having obtained the relevant permits. St. Martiners will soon be landlocked in our own country with no unrestricted access to our beaches or rocky coastlines. Today this is taking place in Simpson Bay, tomorrow it will be your neighborhood. Sint Maarten Pride Foundation salutes and congratulates the residents of Simpson Bay with today’s efforts. Simpson Bay Residents for the Safeguarding of our Heritage