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Police allowing only peaceful demonstration at National Heroes Park
Karyl Walker
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
THE police commissioner yesterday refused to grant permission for a protest march by a little known group calling itself the Campaign for Social and Economic Justice.
But while it frowned on marches, the police said it would not object to the group staging a peaceful demonstration to air their grouses.
The march refusal effectively scuttles plans by the group which could potentially embarrass Prime Minister Bruce Golding who makes his contribution to the 2009/2010 debate in Parliament.
Rallied by radio broadcaster, Lloyd D'Aguilar, the group had requested permission to march from National Heroes Circle south to Gordon House at Duke Street in downtown Kingston where Parliament sits.
But yesterday, a release from the Office of the Commissioner put a damper on the group's plans to march in protest in Kingston's streets.
"The principals of Campaign for Social and Economic Justice have been advised of the decision by the police to deny their request for a march," the release said.
Meanwhile, the group which has dubbed the recent budget presentation by Finance Minister Audley Shaw as "oppressive" and "burdensome", vowed to have more public rallies, town hall meetings and demonstrations despite what they charged are attempts by the police to muzzle them.
D'Aguilar was livid when contacted by the Observer yesterday. He accused the police of working in collusion with the Government.
"Clearly the police are taking sides politically. Clearly the police seem to be taking instructions from the Government," D'Aguilar said.
He said he had spoken with Assistant Commissioner Owen Ellington, who is in charge of the operations portfolio in the constabulary, and was informed that the police did not have enough resources to ensure that the march would remain peaceful.
"The Government is denying people their democratic right to freedom of political expression and freedom of movement.You should take it lying down and not say anything," D'Aguilar complained.
Despite the police's decision though, D'Aguilar said his group would be staging a peaceful demonstration at Heroes Circle.
"We are going to gather and make our speeches. We are going to take the high road. We are not going to provoke a situation," he said.
He also warned the Government that despite their attempts to muzzle his group, they would be fighting tooth and nail against the "oppressive" tax package.
"We are going to have more public rallies, town hall meetings and more demonstrations. I don't think it is going to end anytime soon," D'Aguilar promised.
Campaign for Social and Economic Justice was established in 2003, at which time the group protested the war in Iraq. Since then the group has been meeting to discuss social issues affecting the country.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...EET_MARCH_.asp
Karyl Walker
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
THE police commissioner yesterday refused to grant permission for a protest march by a little known group calling itself the Campaign for Social and Economic Justice.
But while it frowned on marches, the police said it would not object to the group staging a peaceful demonstration to air their grouses.
The march refusal effectively scuttles plans by the group which could potentially embarrass Prime Minister Bruce Golding who makes his contribution to the 2009/2010 debate in Parliament.
Rallied by radio broadcaster, Lloyd D'Aguilar, the group had requested permission to march from National Heroes Circle south to Gordon House at Duke Street in downtown Kingston where Parliament sits.
But yesterday, a release from the Office of the Commissioner put a damper on the group's plans to march in protest in Kingston's streets.
"The principals of Campaign for Social and Economic Justice have been advised of the decision by the police to deny their request for a march," the release said.
Meanwhile, the group which has dubbed the recent budget presentation by Finance Minister Audley Shaw as "oppressive" and "burdensome", vowed to have more public rallies, town hall meetings and demonstrations despite what they charged are attempts by the police to muzzle them.
D'Aguilar was livid when contacted by the Observer yesterday. He accused the police of working in collusion with the Government.
"Clearly the police are taking sides politically. Clearly the police seem to be taking instructions from the Government," D'Aguilar said.
He said he had spoken with Assistant Commissioner Owen Ellington, who is in charge of the operations portfolio in the constabulary, and was informed that the police did not have enough resources to ensure that the march would remain peaceful.
"The Government is denying people their democratic right to freedom of political expression and freedom of movement.You should take it lying down and not say anything," D'Aguilar complained.
Despite the police's decision though, D'Aguilar said his group would be staging a peaceful demonstration at Heroes Circle.
"We are going to gather and make our speeches. We are going to take the high road. We are not going to provoke a situation," he said.
He also warned the Government that despite their attempts to muzzle his group, they would be fighting tooth and nail against the "oppressive" tax package.
"We are going to have more public rallies, town hall meetings and more demonstrations. I don't think it is going to end anytime soon," D'Aguilar promised.
Campaign for Social and Economic Justice was established in 2003, at which time the group protested the war in Iraq. Since then the group has been meeting to discuss social issues affecting the country.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...EET_MARCH_.asp
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