Social activist, Mark Benschop and trade unionists, Norris Witter and Lincoln Lewis were arrested yesterday after they protested in front of Police Headquarters at Eve Leary and up to press time were still in detention as they refused an offer of bail that they said was too high.
The trio was booked on allegations of illegal picketing, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and assaulting a peace officer and up to last night was in custody at the Brickdam police station. At about noon yesterday, they were protesting in front of police HQ when they were picked up by a band of policemen, who took them to the Brickdam police station for booking.
The trio has been picketing several locations including the Office of the President, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the office of the Commissioner of Police in recent days and say that they are fighting for human rights.
Yesterday, as they were beginning their picket, the trio was picked up by a large band of police and whisked to the Brickdam police station where they were booked on the complaints.
Last evening, speaking from the police station, Benschop told Stabroek News that so far they have been told of the allegations against them but they have not yet been informed of the institution of any charges.
At that time he said that there had been no mention of bail by the police but they have decided to take a “moral and ethical position” and would not pay any monetary bail. Last night, attorney for the trio, Khemraj Ramjattan told Stabroek News that the men had been told by the police commander at 7 pm that an order of bail in the sum of $50,000 each would be made. The men however declined the offer saying it was excessive and they should be sent on their own recognizance.
Benschop said that they were picketing peacefully as is their constitutional right. According to the social activist, they have been told that the arrest is an attempt to intimidate them, but they will not be cowed. He said that they are prepared to face any eventuality. “We will continue. This will not intimidate us”, Benschop, who had previously been charged with treason and had been granted a pardon by President Bharrat Jagdeo, declared.
The trio is being represented by attorney-at-law Ramjattan and Benschop said that they have been visited by others as well, such as PNCR Member of Parliament and lawyer, Deborah Backer and contender for the position of PNCR leader, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, who have offered their support.
Ramjattan told Stabroek News that his clients have maintained that it was a peaceful picket and he said that it is their constitutional right.
It is “ironic and paradoxical”, he said, that the last time he was involved in a case in which similar allegations were made, was back in 1989 when he represented now Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee.
He recalled that then, as now, he had gone to the Brickdam police station to ask for his release.
The trio has been protesting on a range of issues in recent weeks including allegations linking government officials to Roger Khan, the cut- off of state subventions to the Critchlow Labour College and the plight of CLICO (Guyana).
