Police want no protests in front headquarters

– Commissioner Greene
COMMISSIONER Henry Greene said, last Friday, that pardoned treason accused Mark Benschop and trade unionists Lincoln Lewis and Norris Witter, who were arrested recently after picketing outside Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, are free to picket once they do not break the law.

Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Annual Youth Camp, at Madewini, East Bank Demerara, he said, because of security reasons, they have tried to avoid persons protesting directly in front of Police Headquarters.

“I think any rational and sensible person would understand why we do not want any form of protest there,” Mr. Greene said.

He explained that Police Headquarters is a place that is well guarded with arms and ammunition and “we do not want any accidental discharge or any weapon to go off.”

Greene said, as in the past, they have asked persons to go to Parade Street or further East, to Camp Street, away from the main building.

He said the three persons, in particular, Benschop, Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) General Secretary Lewis and Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Acting General Secretary Witter have decided that they are going to protest in front of Police Headquarters.

Greene maintained that the Police do not want any conflict with the trio and, as was related to their attorney, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, the law clearly states that one must have the appropriate arm band and walk two abreast and so forth, when picketing.

“We do not have problem with protest. We do not want trouble with anybody but, that day, we had the Police Awards Ceremony and they were making a lot of noise,” the commissioner said of the three protestors, who have since faced charges in a Magistrate’s Court.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.