The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING yet another holiday weekend marred by violence and killings, activist Rodney Moncur declared the persistent high levels of crime “totally and absolutely unacceptable”.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday following the Freedom March, in which he and other citizens affected by crime protested for nearly three hours, Mr Moncur called on the government to move swiftly to remove all obstacles preventing capital punishment from being carried out.

“The crime level is increasing almost on a daily basis. I think in the last 24 hours we have experienced at least two murders. This is totally and absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

“We think that the government should move swiftly to reduce the level of murders in this society. That objective cannot be achieved unless the government removes the legal impediments that prevent the law of capital punishment from being carried out.

“And we suggest it can be done either through legislation or an amendment to the constitution.”

Mr Moncur and his fellow marchers met at Arawak Cay yesterday morning with picket signs and marched from there to Bay Street, then Parliament Street, East Hill Street, East Street, Wulff Road, Baillou Hill Road and back to Arawak Cay.

“In addition to marching against crime and violence, we marched for freedom,” Mr Moncur said.

“Freedom of speech and communication is being threatened by a rising Nazi philosophy and we marched against police brutality and suspects dying in police custody.”

Last month, Mr Moncur declared that the march was being organised to protect the fundamental rights of individuals following concern over remarks by the Commissioner of Police on how social media should and should not be used.

Mr Moncur said that the police will always have his support “once they are compliant with the law”.

Two more Freedom Marches are scheduled for Labour Day, June 7, and Indepdence Day, July 10.