– vow to continue picketing
After spending Wednesday night in the Brickdam lock-ups, on allegations of illegal picketing, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and assaulting a peace officer, social activist Mark Benschop and trade unionists Norris Witter and Lincoln Lewis, were released on station bail around 10:30 yesterday morning with no charges being made out against them.
The trio, dubbed ‘The Three Musketeers’ by Police Commissioner Henry Greene, was arrested on Wednesday while protesting in front of Police Headquarters at Eve Leary.
The police officers who picked them up took them to the Brickdam Police Station to be booked.
The trio declined a $50,000 station bail offer made to each of them, citing it as excessive, contending that they should be sent on their own recognizance. The bail sum was subsequently reduced to $25,000, which was still not agreed to.
However, attorney for the trio, Khemraj Ramjattan, yesterday morning secured bail in the sum of $10,000 for each of the three and they were told to report to the Brickdam Police Station at 8:30 am today.
Shortly after being released, the men met members of the media and stated that they will continue their ‘fight for human rights’. Lewis, who is the General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour and an executive member of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), told the media that based on his stay at the Brickdam lock-ups on Wednesday night he is contemplating pressing the issue of human rights to the Organisation of American States (OAS). He said the facility is not fit to accommodate any human being noting that it is filthy and has no beds, bath or toilet facilities available to inmates.
Trade unionist Lincoln Lewis and Mark Benschop (in background) walk with supporters shortly after their release yesterday.
Lewis said that at the recent Caricom Conference held here, President Bharrat Jagdeo had mentioned that citizens of Caricom countries needed to be treated “in a certain way”. Lewis lamented that Guyanese are not being treated like human beings, a reference he made to persons being held at the Brickdam lock-ups.
This newspaper had carried several reports in the past in which persons described woeful experiences while being held at the lock-ups. Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee two months ago stated that the design for the rehabilitation of the facility had been completed but he did not provide a time-frame on when repairs would be started or completed.
As regards Wednesday’s protest action, Lewis noted that he and his colleagues were protesting peacefully and were targeted by the police, adding that the sole intention was to have them locked up.
Questioned on whether armbands were used during Wednesday’s protest action, Ramjattan said there was no lawful requirement to use these while protesting peacefully in the public. He said he was prepared to test this, stating that protest action should be one’s unconditional right.
The PNCR yesterday unreservedly condemned the arrest and charging of the three men, “while they were exercising their constitutional right to engage in peaceful protests”.
The party said that based on the facts and evidence available, the men had not engaged in any activity in violation of any of the laws of Guyana. “The violation of their fundamental rights is, therefore, a further and troubling indication that the Jagdeo Administration is prepared to use sections of the Guyana Police Force as a coercive and intimidating arm of the state to silence dissent and peaceful protest actions against its many shortcomings,” the PNCR said in a press statement issued last evening.
It said the “the symbolic significance of this attack upon these high-profile Guyanese” was that the administration wanted to send a message to the GTUC that it intends to stamp out any dissent as it moved to “destroy that organisation and replace it with the pro-PPP Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG)”.
Social activist Mark Benschop is greeted by a supporter after his release yesterday morning.
The party said it also recognised that the Benschop had been identified for “roughing up” because he has clearly not learnt “his lesson”.
The release said “the PNCR lauds the activities of all Guyanese who have joined the increasing numbers prepared to actively protest against the lawlessness, abuse of rights…, and other forms of poor governance…”
The party saluted Lewis, Benschop and Witter for their personal courage in standing up to the administration despite the use of tactics of intimidation, including their incarceration under the deplorable conditions found at the Brickdam lock-ups.
Irony
Meanwhile, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), in a statement issued yesterday, said that the detention of “these three persons for the crime of peaceful picketing should open the eyes of the population”.
Declaring that democracy was under threat in Guyana and that the country was fast becoming a police state, the WPA reminded that illegal picketing, disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest were a replay of charges that had been brought against citizens who exercised their right to protest against the Burnham regime. “Among those who suffered this fate in that period was the current minister of home affairs who among his other deficiencies clearly lacks any sense of irony,” the WPA said.
The party called on all Guyanese to “recognize the clear and present danger posed to the entire society when the law enforcement agencies feel free to trample on the fundamental rights of citizens.”
Experience here and elsewhere teaches, the WPA said, that such action must be met by the most vigorous all-round resistance if officially sanctioned lawlessness is to be brought to heel.
Lewis, Benschop and Witter said they will continue their protest action at various public places and have no qualms about being rearrested. Lewis said that their actions are for a cause, “to have rights honoured for all Guyanese”.
Trade unionist Norris Witter shortly after being released yesterday.
Benschop told the media that he will continue with the protest action, stating “the government does not practice democracy”, urging that Guyanese be prepared to “stand up for their rights”.
The trio had been picketing at several locations across the city in recent weeks including at the Office of the President, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Office of the Commis-sioner of Police.
Among the issues they are protesting against are allegations linking government officials with drug accused Roger Khan, the cut-off of state subventions to the Critchlow Labour College as well as the plight of workers of CLICO (Guyana).
Stabroek news you are late, yesterday we had a peaceful protest in front of the u.n nations, and the guyana consulate on 31st on 7thh ave, and while on our way to the guyana consulate we got a call from mark stating that they were released on 10, 000 dollars bail, right now guyanese at home are scared straight to protest, because of the retribution they will get from the govt led gpf, as the rhetoric goes guyana was returned to democracy in 1992 with the election of the ppp govt, but now we are seeing their true colors of their so-called democracy, in a democracy every citizen has a constitutional right to protest their govt, if one individual choose to have a placard and protest they don’t need no permit, but if a large crowd is gathered then they need to apply for a permit, keep the fire blazing mark, we are doing what we can here in ny to highlight the plight in guyana.
THREE IS A CROWD, what did the UN did.
what are you doing, just blowing hot air, make yourself useful and get involved.
Jagdeo government is a dictatorship. Why else would they lock up Benschop, Witter and Lewis overnight then freed them with no charges. And to boot the trio is put on bail and not charged for anything. Guess Jagdeo thought that he was teaching them a lesson. He said that when he pardoned Mark after the treason charge.
Glad to hear the trio will continue the protest. Thank you men for standing up for human rights. My heart bleeds for my country.
If the police commissioner had seen the movie “The Three Musketeers” then he would have never refer to these three men as musketeer for calling some names is something he should NEVER do.
In my view many other persons will now join the “fight” with these men because if you are living for nothing it’s always better to die for something and dying for your country is the greatest honor one can achieve.
Remember in a cowboy country anything can happen.
The story of the Brickdam Lock-ups is long over due, i have mention that hell hole in the press a few years ago and that’s a place that cannot be cleaned, they just have to break it down and build another.
BESIDES THESE THREE MEN ONLY WOMEN CAN BE SEEN ON PICKETING AND PROTESTS, WHERE ARE THE MEN???????????
Your first paragraph is indecipherable.
The second would not be there if you were “DEAD” serious.
The statement after that one is true, but , are you referring to guyana? I would hope not.
The third paragraph made me to smile thoughtfully, if you broke it down why would you want to build another? just leave it as it is, LOL.
I would answer your last question this way, the men are wiser and may be anticipating no future benificial developmental potential comming from the expedients of these three probably positively dubbed “the three musketeers” and lastly WAR! What is it good for ? absolutely nothing.
Resorting to name calling is unbecoming of a police commissioner. He may have already biased any chance of a fair hearing these men are entitled to. This was clearly no effort to remain neutral while doing his police work. He crossed the line by implicitly passing judgement on these people. Next thing some overzealous police officer sees this as a signal that’s it’s o.k. to shoot them.
If the commissioner had refered to the protesters as “three blind mice” would you have taken him to task? As ” three blind mice” the police would have had reasonable cause to arrest them, because they would have been in possession of at least a carving knife..LOL. The men are all working (husteling) and as such could not engage in civil disobedience. Women are protesting because they feel the brunt of the hardship of taking care of the household. Most of them are single parents with no visible means of income, and when there is income it is meagre. You seem to think that protests are necessary to highlight social issues, and I agree with you. But where was your presence? Call on your elected opposition leaders to raise concerns (whatever they may be) in parliament. Street protests are meaningless if not properly organized. ISNM
Sandy, although your point is well taken I don’t believe that the approach and strategy taken by these well intended men will effect change. When the PPP found themselves in a position of weakness during the past admin., their approach was different. They used the areas in which they were strong to push for change. They used the sugar and rice industries, Dr. jagan toured the globe looking for support. Eventually that support came from the Carter Center.
The strategy I am noticing, in this instance, is a tendancy to brute, force and ignorance. If the “resistance” did not effect change why would you think picketting and protest will be effective. All these approaches are based on a misguided premise that government create development. In fact it is the people.
These three men have the ability to effect change but their approach must change. They must focus on the development of people. Crime is the biggest impediment to development. It is a safety issue for potential investors. That is why the “resistance” approach did not work. It spun out of control. If the time was spent encouraging investors there would have been progress.
This is what I think must be done. These goodly gentleman should be working with the police, not against. They should talk to the depressed communities to hold up on the crimes so that they can ellicit potential investors. Try to get the communities to put crime on hold and work with the police to enhance law and order.
They should be pointing out to their constituent the effects of crime on development. If they could help to get business going and money into the pockets of the depressed, Governance will fall in line.
To the three guys, get the message out that you are going out to get investors to invest in the communities and that crime will not be tolerated. This is as simple as I could put it. It is a very big task and need guts, but it is more results oriented. Further, they will demand respect for Gov. and all if the communities are showing progress through their own effort.
greg mark benschop has a foundation and he helps many communities he also has a school where he train youngster how to be self sufficient, you need to check out the guyanaobservernews and see what he’s doing, before you criticize.
Thank you, Chief for bringing sense to this nonsense.
As the SN moderator has no mercy with me, I try not to waste too much of my time.
I do understand the SN moderator’s position because there are SOME who simply cannot face the plain truth.
SINCE WHEN YOU PEOPLE CARE FOR “ALL GUYANESE” quando quando quando qoando.
for your information mark benschop is involved with a programm which caters for the needy children , he is seen on many occasions in the news media handing over computers, tables and chairs for schools ect, ect, even in area’s where political support for the ppp govt is a known factor.
TIGER
is only when he called in the media to show what he doing…
if yuh believe dis man den ask e fuh tell yuh whe e getin fundin fram…den yuh know story gun bust out…..
Please re-read, freespeech’s question, tiger.
It was you who made the connection and you have to answer to yourself for doing that.
When Greene a public official paid by the tax payers of this country has the audacity to call these men the Three musketeers it shows you that the ppp and many of these people that protect their dictatorship has no respect for the citizens of this country. But again this is nothing new.
Greene should tell us why he cannot get a US visa.
Samaroo, I valenteer to B Ë mout piece!! Ë provoke D wite people su dem REVOKE D vesa in da way Ë kan get even A GREEN CARD. A hope dat D people vex wid E fu a lang lang time…he an al dem res mus larn dem LESSON…SPEAKING OF LEARNING A LESSON….AL DEM OFFICIALS WHA GET DEM VESA TECK WAY>>>>SHAMEFUL
“A cause for which you are not willing to die is a cause for which your fighting is of little worth.”
To have to seek permission to express yourself is a serious and profound abrogation of the principle of freedom of expression. The use of the police as a blunt and intimidating tool of the government is the tactic of the dictator. Peaceful protest that in no way inconveniences the public is one of the mainstays of a true democracy. When “Red Thread”, “Mothers In Black” and “Advocates Against Domestic Violence” demonstrate, the police do not make arrests and I am certain no permits were obtained for these demonstrations. It’s only when the demonstration is politically inspired and against the government that we see arrests made.
de “social activist”shouldn’t even be allowed any where near a picketing line,knowing his track record.
look at the man, enjoying the publicity.
come on benchshop, they need you in west berbice for the roads.
go stand and hold your picket card, ‘we need roads’ more cameras for you over there.
To quote MLK – “We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive”. Fellas, continue the good fight and the next time you end up in the Brickdam lockups, just video tape the experience with you cell phone.
Sorry, i tried that and the camera melt from the stench…IT’S THAT BAD!!
The lock-ups is like home for Benchap,i can’t believe that he just came out of the Brickdam lock-ups all gussied up in that Armani Suit and looking like a top model.Just take a look at Lewis and Witter,they look like if they were in the BRICKDAM LOCK-UPS.
SN axed this again.
all prisoners must be searched and valuables placed for safe keeping.
that is how it’s done in the US,
hope e hide it very well.
Freespeech, i want YOU to explain how i walked into brickdam lock-ups with my cell phone in my pocket, my shoe lace attached to my shoe and my belt on my pants……plus remember runnings happen all the time in Guyana
If i tell you prisoners got weed food and slept outside the lock-ups while i was there would you believe????
Its all about de RUNNINGS!!!!!!
This action by the Police force is typical of an administration that is distrustful of the people they are expected to lead. Three respected men chose to express their objection to the state’s handling of matters of public concern and ended up behind bars.This is arrogance on the part of an administration that has clearly lost its way.The Police leadership has now admitted to the world that it is in fact the official goon squad of a clueless administration. Why pounce so readily on three harmless, defenceless conscientious men whose only crime is that they dare to object to Guyana’s image being tarnished non-stop by questionnable decisions of an inept administrstion?
All progressive minded and peace loving Guyanese who cherish their freedom need to get out now and rally around the efforts of this TRIO!
What freedom did the party of this trio gave to Guyanese? What freedom did the current government rob the people of. Let me remind you that there is now freedom of press, freedom to protest legally[ which these three did not do] freedom to leave the country with more than $15 guyana dollars to name a few, which was not present under the rule of the party that these three represent. For them to be referred as the “Three Musketeers” is a tarnish to the image of the original three.
“All progressive minded and peace loving Guyanese who cherish their freedom need to get out now and rally around the efforts of this TRIO!”………………… In your dreams Indian!
PNC supporters are walking around like blind bats without any effective leadership, whereas the PPP supporters cover their eyes to the realities in Guyana, while heaping praise on the administration…………………. It’s a win-win situation for the Govt. my friend.
The PNCR calling on Guyanese to do what???? The PNCR is the last people should call on anyone,,,afterall I still do not know if this party still exists… The police need to throw the entire book at these three musketeers…As far as I can see these are premediated acts to get at the police,,, This is their trend when ever they are preparing to take to the streets,,,they put the police to a test first to drive fear in them…
yesterday you said in your blogg that these men broke the law when they protested, so how come they were released and not charged with an offence for `breaking the law’.
TIGER,,,They have to return today at 8:30 am, I am sure the police did not call them back to have Breakfast,,,I am sure they will be slapped with at least three charges each, lets wait and see…
Careful, Soldier.
I have been axed sooooooooo many times for saying much the same as you have posted.
SN axed about 20 of my blog today, keep it lit SN