St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The police force is being put on blast by Attorney at Law Sylvester Anthony for what is being described as a motorcade being held by the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP).
The attorney is arguing that what is being peddled by the police is not in keeping with the constitution and the matter could end up in the courts.
During an interview with WINN FM, the attorney explained what transpired on Friday between Labour party officials and the police force that is being described by lawmen as a motorcade.
The police force is being put on blast by Attorney at Law Sylvester Anthony for what is being described as a motorcade being held by the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP).
The attorney is arguing that what is being peddled by the police is not in keeping with the constitution and the matter could end up in the courts.
During an interview with WINN FM, the attorney explained what transpired on Friday between Labour party officials and the police force that is being described by lawmen as a motorcade.
“I think the entire confusion relates to the fact that the police are claiming that the correspondence which they received from the commissioner of police which they were copied permitted the Labour party to use a public address system but did not permit them to have what the police are referring to as a public procession. And when I arrived the Inspector who was in control suggested to me that this was a public procession and a public procession requires permission and no permission was granted. The problem with that is that the police seem not to be aware of what the law defines as a public procession.”
While providing his interpretation of the law, Mr. Anthony called on the law enforcement including the Commissioner of Police review the piece of legislation they are seeking to enforce.
“That is the problem and I have spoken to the Commissioner of Police about it, I’ve spoken the Superintendent responsible for District B and I in my conversation with the Commissioner of Police I suggested he needed to get legal advice, he didn’t need to take my advice, but he needed to get legal advice. There is an act called the Public Meetings and Procession Act, Chapter 19.10 of our laws, it defines what a public procession is. The act defines a public procession as a march or procession in a public place comprising pedestrians and vehicles.”
The police force in a statement following that incident warned against having motorcades, motorcades, processions and public meetings at this time.
Commissioner Hilroy Brandy on Thursday, May 22, said acting on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, no permission will be granted to any individual, group or political party to have such events.
He disclosed that discussions were had with representatives from each political parties in the country, informing them of these restrictions; however, he added that he found himself receiving information that such activities were still being organised.
“It is important for the public to know that I have not granted permission to any political party or any group to have a motorcade or public procession. Notwithstanding this, on several occasions, I have had to send Officers to stop several efforts to have motorcades.”
Attorney Anthony argues that the Labour party was not having a march when the police intervened.
“…Twenty to twenty-five Labour Party supporters in their vehicles driving along the street with no pedestrians does not constitute a procession and therefore the conduct of the police is clearly unlawful. And we are moving to take the necessary action we need to take even though there is very little time. And that is why I have made attempts as a counselor for the Labour Party to speak to both the Commissioner of Police and the Superintendent to ask them to please pay attention to the law and instruct the police accordingly.”
