The Editor,
On Thursday, March 16, 2015 at approximately 0955hours, with others we witnessed clear evidence that we now live in a police-type State – I was travelling north along Fort Street, Kingston on foot, when I encountered at the junction of Wights Lane, Assistant Superintendent Stanley of the Guyana Police Force. He enquired of me as to whether I was in possession of an invitation to attend, the opening of the Marriott Hotel. At that time I declined pointing out, that as Mayor of the Capital City I could not understand the relevance of the question, since I was merely walking along a Public Road as I have done for many years, as part of my civic duty.
I pointed this out to the officer who ordered Constables under his command to physically restrain me from proceeding. I then left and again proceeded to walk this time along upper High Street where I was again met by senior police officers and a large contingent of Constables from the Guyana Police Force. There I again pointed out to them that I wished to proceed in a westerly direction to examine aspects of the environment.
Again as I proceeded peacefully with Councillors, a former Member of Parliament and citizens, I was physically assaulted by police ranks, who damaged the shirt I was wearing, and knocked to the ground the hat I had on thus preventing me from walking along the streets of Georgetown.
I asked the senior officer to explain who gave him instructions to prevent the Mayor and Councillors from walking along a road within the municipality and under what law he was allowed to have his ranks physically assault myself and others, as we sought to walk peacefully in the City.
One officer said his instructions came from high up, and that what was needed was an invitation to go beyond that barrier.
This was a troubling experience particularly in the light of the fact that there was no public notice closing those streets from pedestrians and traffic, further I saw a group of ordinary citizens proceeding along the very road unhindered, and persons, whom I recognized as a consequence of their mannerisms and accent as non Guyanese. As one person observed the Government and the Police are now discriminating against us Guyanese.
I think the Commissioner of Police must explain to the Public, as I now ask, under what law or authority was this brutish action of preventing the duly elected Mayor of Georgetown from walking peacefully along public roads in Georgetown?.
I’ll be making a formal complaint to the Commissioner of Police for the damage done to my clothing and person.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, J.P.
