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Middle-finger picket outside State House against youth charged
source
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Wednesday, 31 August 2011 13:57


A group of persons on Wednesday stuck their middle fingers out in front of State House – President Bharrat Jagdeo’s official residence, protesting the charging of an 18-year old man for allegedly showing a presidential convoy his middle finger.


Kevin Simon, who was denied bail by a lower court and remanded to jail for two weeks, was eventually granted GUY$5,000 bail and ordered to return to court.
When he did so on Tuesday, the prosecutor withdrew the charge and told the Sparendaam Magistrates’ court that Simon was charged under the wrong section of the law.


Police said the teen was riding in a bottled water distribution truck earlier this month when he made the gesture to presidential security guards after they scolded the driver for not responding to sirens to make way for the convoy.

Ahead of his next court appearance on September 20, the 15 persons- mainly women- staged a picketing exercise on the Main Street Avenue outside State House.

Their placards read ‘A finger is just a finger,” “Raising a finger is not a gun,” “Jobs for the youths, not jail,” “Drop Kevin Simon’s charge now,” and “Freedom of Expression I guaranteed under Guyana’s constitution.”


In Western culture, the finger (as in giving someone the finger or the bird), also known as the middle finger, is an obscene hand gesture, often meaning phrases using a four-letter expletive or "up yours". It is performed by showing the back of a closed hand that has only the middle finger extended upwards.

A police patrol turned up and monitored the protest closely. A presidential guard was seen securing the Main Street entrance by wrapping a thick chain in between the closed sides of the gate. No padock was used.


Speaking with reporters from the picket-line, one of the picketers, University of Guyana lecturer and activist, Charlene Wilkinson deemed said charging Simon symbolized more than tyrannical rule.

“The act of jailing a young man for raising his middle finger, it’s absolutely gone beyond despotism. It couldn’t be stupidity because he was in jail for two weeks,” she said.

Wilkinson disagreed that Simon displayed a “tinge disrespect” , adding that should have been a matter between him and the president. She said the argument should be weighted in favour of freedom of expression.

“We cannot interpret what was in the young man’s mind by his raising of his finger unless we have something in our mind similar,” she added.

If convicted under the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act for the use of insulting or obscene , language, gesture or behaviour, he could be fined GUY$10,000 bail or imprisoned for six months.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:
Here you have adults showing the middle finger, so young people can think that this is acceptable behaviour. What a bunch of model citizens!


It is a protest this is different than just randomnly giving someone the finger. Come on use some sense for a second
HM
I see people with their middle fingers. This is seen all over the place. What common sense you want to be used. They are displaying outrageous behaviour. You can put whatever spin you want, it is indecent.
FM
I do not like ugly handwriting and much of the above is ugly. someone just pass on this alphabet to them so they may imitate if not master it and produce some more "Easy on the Eye" lettering.

FM
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:
I see people with their middle fingers. This is seen all over the place. What common sense you want to be used. They are displaying outrageous behaviour. You can put whatever spin you want, it is indecent.


Showing the middle finger is not outrageous behaviour nor is it indecent when scratching of the pubic area in the public is acceptable to you.
Mitwah
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:
I see people with their middle fingers. This is seen all over the place. What common sense you want to be used. They are displaying outrageous behaviour. You can put whatever spin you want, it is indecent.


Outrageous behaviour? charging a teenager for giving someone the bird is a crime? is a worthwhile use of the court and police resources in a country where people are being mugged robbed and slaughtered daily?

We have our priorities ass backwards in this govt that is why the AFC is throwing it in our faces daily now and telling the people that we are driving prados and we backside cannot even get a fire tender in the fire station.
HM
You are mixing guavas and starapples. Giving the middle finger is indecent. Period. Now you may want to spin this politically and otherwise. You have every right to do so, but it is indecent. If someone does this to you you will think it is indecent too.
FM
This is a ridiculous case. The youth should never have been charged, but since he was, a reprimand would have been in order. What I fail to see, however, is waht this has to do with the President. Is Obama personally responsible for the many assinine behavior of US security personnel?
FM
In Canada, showing the middle finger is sometimes called the Trudeau salute after Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau because of a famous photo of him giving the finger to protesters. He has also used the gesture in the House of Commons.
Mitwah
So many middle finger threads. As far as I'm concern, the gesture on the part of this youth, was not the appropriate thing to do, however a reprimand would have been in order.
Taking it further than that is overkill.
Sheik101
Somewhat similar story out of T&T.

Facebook teen still in trouble
By Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Aug 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM ECT

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM ECT

THE TEENAGE girl who posted a verbally obscene video in which she threatened Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar may not get away scot-free despite a public appeal by Persad-Bissessar for her to be spared punishment.

The 14-year-old girl, referring to herself as "Granny Quila", posted a video on two social networking sites, YouTube and Facebook, where she hurled death threats, obscene, offensive, vulgar and racial remarks at Persad-Bissessar in relation to the declaration of a State of Emergency and curfew restrictions in certain communities.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan on Saturday said the video was forwarded to Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs for the incident to be investigated.

On Sunday the schoolgirl posted a second video where she apologised to Persad-Bissessar for the offensive video.

Persad-Bissessar during a ceremony in Penal on Monday said she accepted the teenager's apology.

Ramlogan, however, at the daily National Security briefing yesterday said Persad-Bissessar made the statement in a personal capacity.

"We have to respect the right of the police and the independence of the office of the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) in these matters and the Prime Minister made known her views on the matter (on Monday) from a personal stand point and I simply wish to echo those sentiments," he said.

Police Commissioner Gibbs said the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

"We look at behaviours of people. We do not go after individuals per se, again it is behaviours that they do that we look at and in this particular case it has been in the media quite extensively I can tell you that at a policing stand point we are looking at it as we get through all our investigations it will be determined what action will be taken," Gibbs said.

"We looking into the matter and take our time with that investigation to make sure that we do the right things for all the individuals involved and for the nation in terms of security," he said.

Reports are the teenager reported to the Police Cyber Crimes Unit located at Police Administration Building in Port of Spain around 10 a.m. on Monday. She was allowed to leave soon after.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Sheik101:
So many middle finger threads. As far as I'm concern, the gesture on the part of this youth, was not the appropriate thing to do, however a reprimand would have been in order.
Taking it further than that is overkill.


tHERE WAS NO NEED TO REPRIMAND THE YOUTH JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE.
Chief
What would Burnham's security have done?

Better question yet? How would Granger would have reacted?

I ask these questions to put the reaction of the President's security detail into perspective.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by DND:
What would Burnham's security have done?

Better question yet? How would Granger would have reacted?

I ask these questions to put the reaction of the President's security detail into perspective.


Burnham who?
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Rahmah bin Jabr:
quote:
Originally posted by DND:
What would Burnham's security have done?

Better question yet? How would Granger would have reacted?

I ask these questions to put the reaction of the President's security detail into perspective.


Burnham who?


It was not so long ago. The people are still paying for his sins. Do you think the PPP would have lasted as long in office if it was not for Burnham?
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Chief:
quote:
Originally posted by Sheik101:
So many middle finger threads. As far as I'm concern, the gesture on the part of this youth, was not the appropriate thing to do, however a reprimand would have been in order.
Taking it further than that is overkill.


tHERE WAS NO NEED TO REPRIMAND THE YOUTH JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE.
Nonesense. he should have been spoken to, with his parents present.
Sheik101
quote:
“The act of jailing a young man for raising his middle finger, it’s absolutely gone beyond despotism. It couldn’t be stupidity because he was in jail for two weeks ,” she said.



This is simply idiotic, smells of bullyism.
cain
quote:
Originally posted by Sheik101:
quote:
Originally posted by Chief:
quote:
Originally posted by Sheik101:
So many middle finger threads. As far as I'm concern, the gesture on the part of this youth, was not the appropriate thing to do, however a reprimand would have been in order.
Taking it further than that is overkill.


tHERE WAS NO NEED TO REPRIMAND THE YOUTH JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE.
Nonesense. he should have been spoken to, with his parents present.


I agree. Jagdeo should have acted like Kamla and invite the youth to his office.

This is a common salute on the Highways by our drivers. Big Grin Rass, we would need to build bigger jails if this was offence. Wink
Mitwah
quote:
Originally posted by DND:
Somewhat similar story out of T&T.

Facebook teen still in trouble
By Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Aug 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM ECT

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM ECT

THE TEENAGE girl who posted a verbally obscene video in which she threatened Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar may not get away scot-free despite a public appeal by Persad-Bissessar for her to be spared punishment.

The 14-year-old girl, referring to herself as "Granny Quila", posted a video on two social networking sites, YouTube and Facebook, where she hurled death threats, obscene, offensive, vulgar and racial remarks at Persad-Bissessar in relation to the declaration of a State of Emergency and curfew restrictions in certain communities.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan on Saturday said the video was forwarded to Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs for the incident to be investigated.

On Sunday the schoolgirl posted a second video where she apologised to Persad-Bissessar for the offensive video.

Persad-Bissessar during a ceremony in Penal on Monday said she accepted the teenager's apology.

Ramlogan, however, at the daily National Security briefing yesterday said Persad-Bissessar made the statement in a personal capacity.

"We have to respect the right of the police and the independence of the office of the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) in these matters and the Prime Minister made known her views on the matter (on Monday) from a personal stand point and I simply wish to echo those sentiments," he said.

Police Commissioner Gibbs said the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

"We look at behaviours of people. We do not go after individuals per se, again it is behaviours that they do that we look at and in this particular case it has been in the media quite extensively I can tell you that at a policing stand point we are looking at it as we get through all our investigations it will be determined what action will be taken," Gibbs said.

"We looking into the matter and take our time with that investigation to make sure that we do the right things for all the individuals involved and for the nation in terms of security," he said.

Reports are the teenager reported to the Police Cyber Crimes Unit located at Police Administration Building in Port of Spain around 10 a.m. on Monday. She was allowed to leave soon after.




╭∩╮(︶︿︶)╭∩╮ for Kamliar (that's what Trinis call her) Big Grin
FM
quote:
Originally posted by DND:
Somewhat similar story out of T&T.



PNM keeping close eye on Facebook threats



By Denyse Renne



Story Created: Feb 7, 2011 at 11:50 PM ECT
Story Updated: Feb 7, 2011 at 11:50 PM ECT http://www.trinidadexpress.com...reats-115533969.html



Concern is mounting over the obscenities, threats and intimidation being posted on the People's National Movement's media fan page found on Facebook.

PNM General Secretary Ashton Forde said yesterday that the matter had engaged the attention of the PNM executive and should the threats become direct, the matter will be reported to the police. He said as it stands now, the threats are being made generally and not directed at any specific individual.

"We discussed the matter at the Central Executive last week and we are taking a cautious approach. We are aware of what is taking place and urge our membership, should they receive threats directly, to report the matter," Forde said.

He said from information received, some individuals are unhappy with the posts being made by PNM supporters. Some of the posts include articles from the print media and photographs of former head of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) Reshmi Ramnarine, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh and Adviser on Public Engagements in the Office of the PM, Sasha Mohammed.

Forde said the postings do not contain anything libellous and all the comments made are critical of the decisions made by the current Government.
"You may recall a calypso by Brigo where he sings, 'Do so don't like so'. When the PNM was in power there was a barrage of criticism," Forde said.

Adding that PNM supporters have in no way been disrespectful, Forde said the PNM will not be intimidated by this latest attack.
Sources said yesterday that the majority of obscenities and intimidating statements came from persons using aliases "Janice Thomas", "Karen Khan", "Krystal Sankar" and "Lisa Chang".

The name "Janice Thomas" was also on e-mail last week attacking Express managing editor Omatie Lyder and political reporter Anna Ramdass. That matter has since been reported to the police and investigations are ongoing.

Following the Ramnarine fiasco, several pictures of Mohammed, Ramnarine and Gopeesingh were removed from Facebook following complaints to Facebook administration.

Speaking with the Express yesterday, one of the PNM's Facebook administrators said the negative postings started following the Ramnarine appointment and her subsequent resignation.

"What was posted were articles and pictures obtained from newspapers, so it is public knowledge. A couple of our members have received nasty, racist and obscene remarks in their Facebook inbox," the administrator said, adding the PNM media will continue posting "whatever stories are of national importance".



"Janice Thomas" warned by Police for threats to Media.
FM