Attorney Wayne Munroe, QC. (File photo)
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE people arrested last week for protesting New Providence’s immediate seven-day lockdown will not be charged in court, according to attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, one of the lawyers representing the group.
Mr Munroe said an agreement to allow the protestors to go free has been reached with Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle.
“We arrived at an agreement with the Commissioner of Police,” Mr Munroe said, “that the protestors wouldn’t have to go to court and that they would release the police from suing them over their arrest since the police weren’t sending them to court... So the police don’t have to fear not sending them to court and then getting sued.”
Despite multiple attempts, Commissioner Rolle did not respond to a request for comment up to press time.
Police said 39 people were arrested on Tuesday August 18 after they protested near Windsor Park, sparked by the lack of notice given over New Providence’s seven-day lockdown.
The protestors defied orders to remain indoors and instead took to the streets to decry the restrictive measures announced by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis hours earlier.
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis reversed the harsh lockdown less than 24 hours after his prior announcement, allowing food stores, pharmacies, water depots, gas stations and hardware stores to open and the previous partial lockdown to remain in place.
The announcement came in a statement from Dr Minnis after the government was roundly criticised by residents, the opposition and non-profit organisations on the impromptu lockdown, which left many without enough food and water in their homes.
Dr Minnis said the reversal came after Cabinet was briefed by weather officials on an approaching storm and after residents raised concerns with him. Dr Minnis conceded residents and businesses need more time to prepare for such a lockdown.
Comments
DWW 4 years, 4 months ago
they know they have been blatantly abusing your constitutional rights. take the country back from the nutcase ministry of health! Minnis can resign tomorrow please.
tribanon 4 years, 4 months ago
Most of us now know that Minnis, the police force and the judiciary were all engaged in the unreasonable and irrational use of emergency powers in a most abusive and discriminatory way.
And many of the egregious abuses of the most basic civil rights and liberties resulted from the persistent failure of Minnis to devise any kind of rational, sensible and suitable plan to defend our nation's people, to the maximum extent possible, from the horrific scourge of the deadly Communist China Virus.
The incompetence of Minnis has greatly imperiled both the lives and livelihoods of many Bahamians. Truly tragic.
newcitizen 4 years, 4 months ago
What kind of shenanigans is this? The police don't decide if some one is charged and goes to court, the crown prosecutor decides if charges are to be filed. Just one more step towards a full banana republic.
TalRussell 4 years, 4 months ago
Taking a step back can sometimes help tremendously if only collect sufficient opposite sides political data justify even a red free enterprise red party backer take the timeout salute King's Counsel Comrade Wayne, for pushing the 35 House-elected red coats communism back taking hold for another week or two. Nod Once for Yeah, Twice for No?
BONEFISH 4 years, 4 months ago
That decision to not charge those demonstrators should have been made by the director of public prosecutions.That is why this FNM government passed a law to make this position independent and take that power from the attorney general.
The commissioner should not make that position.This is one of the reasons we are in this mess in this country.Persons usurp positions and power within this government structure.
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