Ret'd Brigadier Collins among 12 charged ; ACDA supports protests
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Friday, 09 December 2011 11:29
Source
FLASHBACK: Retired Brigadier Collins leading the Dec 6 march.
Retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Edward Collins was among 12 persons charged with allegedly participating in an illegal procession on December 6.
Those appearing in court to answer two charges were Collins, former GDF captain, Fitzroy Corlette; Attorney-at-Law, James Bond and Cifton Newman.
Magistrate Sueanna Lovell issued arrest warrants for Abeann Joseph, David Hinds, Hamilton Holder, Keyno Henry, Winston Greaves, Bruce Whatley, Adriana Moses and Casey Duncan because they did not show up in court.
They were also accused of speaking at a meeting without giving notice in Georgetown.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Lionel Harvey said that at the time of the offences, the defendants did not have permission.
Their defence team included lawyers Robert Corbin, Deborah Backer, Michael Somersaul
Corbin told the court that the charges were malicious and that the defendants were well-known and respected.
They were granted self-bail and ordered to return to court on February 13.
Reacting to Friday's development, the AFC said its "abhors the action by the police to have charged and placed before the Court today Brigadier Eddie Collins, retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, retd. GDF Captain Fitzroy Corlette, Attorney-at-Law James Bond, Clifton Newman and seven others."
"The AFC considers as totally illogical such action by the GPF, since Commissioner of Police Henry Green admitted that the reckless conduct of members of the GPF was unfortunate and where these actions may now become the subject of a Public Enquiry," the statement read.
The AFC reiterated the right of citizen to protest peacefully and called for this right and all fundamental rights of citizens be respected and protected.
Collins, Bond ten others were injured when police fired at about 500 protesters associated with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) because they refused to heed orders not to march because no permission had been granted.
The Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday said the Commander of the Tactical Services Unit detachment on the ground did not receive any permission from the Divisional Commander or the Police Commissioner to fire rubber bullets at the protesters.
The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) is the latest organisation to have condemned the police action. That organisation, noting that peaceful protests is the dividing line between the new form of slavery and the Peoples Progressive Party Civic-led administration, urged Police Commissioner Henry Greene “to take the necessary steps to ensure a more humane approach when confronting Guyanese citizens in public space.”
ACDA said it was backing the struggle not only for a reconciliation of the Statements of Poll in the November 28 general and regional elections but also for a Government of National Unity.
“In saluting the courage and resolve demonstrated by the youth in these elections, we restate our commitment to a post election struggle for a political solution in the form of a Government of National Unity,” ACDA added.
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Friday, 09 December 2011 11:29
Source
FLASHBACK: Retired Brigadier Collins leading the Dec 6 march.Retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Edward Collins was among 12 persons charged with allegedly participating in an illegal procession on December 6.
Those appearing in court to answer two charges were Collins, former GDF captain, Fitzroy Corlette; Attorney-at-Law, James Bond and Cifton Newman.
Magistrate Sueanna Lovell issued arrest warrants for Abeann Joseph, David Hinds, Hamilton Holder, Keyno Henry, Winston Greaves, Bruce Whatley, Adriana Moses and Casey Duncan because they did not show up in court.
They were also accused of speaking at a meeting without giving notice in Georgetown.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Lionel Harvey said that at the time of the offences, the defendants did not have permission.
Their defence team included lawyers Robert Corbin, Deborah Backer, Michael Somersaul
Corbin told the court that the charges were malicious and that the defendants were well-known and respected.
They were granted self-bail and ordered to return to court on February 13.
Reacting to Friday's development, the AFC said its "abhors the action by the police to have charged and placed before the Court today Brigadier Eddie Collins, retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, retd. GDF Captain Fitzroy Corlette, Attorney-at-Law James Bond, Clifton Newman and seven others."
"The AFC considers as totally illogical such action by the GPF, since Commissioner of Police Henry Green admitted that the reckless conduct of members of the GPF was unfortunate and where these actions may now become the subject of a Public Enquiry," the statement read.
The AFC reiterated the right of citizen to protest peacefully and called for this right and all fundamental rights of citizens be respected and protected.
Collins, Bond ten others were injured when police fired at about 500 protesters associated with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) because they refused to heed orders not to march because no permission had been granted.
The Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday said the Commander of the Tactical Services Unit detachment on the ground did not receive any permission from the Divisional Commander or the Police Commissioner to fire rubber bullets at the protesters.
The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) is the latest organisation to have condemned the police action. That organisation, noting that peaceful protests is the dividing line between the new form of slavery and the Peoples Progressive Party Civic-led administration, urged Police Commissioner Henry Greene “to take the necessary steps to ensure a more humane approach when confronting Guyanese citizens in public space.”
ACDA said it was backing the struggle not only for a reconciliation of the Statements of Poll in the November 28 general and regional elections but also for a Government of National Unity.
“In saluting the courage and resolve demonstrated by the youth in these elections, we restate our commitment to a post election struggle for a political solution in the form of a Government of National Unity,” ACDA added.
