The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has commenced legal action against eight defaulters — three in December 2020, four in January 2021 and one so far in February — in an effort to stop the spread of racial incitement among Guyanese, especially on social media.

According to a release, when their cases were called in the Georgetown Magistrates Court, five persons pleaded guilty to offences committed separately. The charges filed were for exciting hostility or ill will on the grounds of race under the Racial Hostility Act and for causing racial or ethnic violence or hatred under the Representation of the People Act.

The five defendants who pleaded guilty, the ERC said are John Gobin, Lashonna Chester, Stacy Smartt, Glynis Gibson and Tiffiny Greene. They were all fined for the offences committed on separate dates.

The two defendants who pleaded not guilty – Surendrapaul Rampersaud and Steve Anthony Barakat will attend court separately when their cases resume, the ERC said.

It noted that Barakat’s case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was adjourned by Magistrate Leron Daly to March 1, 2021 for trial while Rampersaud’s matter was adjourned to March 19 by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, West Coast Berbice. A charge for the eight defendant, Suckie Persaud was filed on Tuesday by the ERC and she is expected to appear at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on March 1, 2021 to answer the charge.

“The ERC is again urging citizens to promote tolerance and understanding, especially towards those of different ethnicities for a better country,” the release concluded.