Police deny UPP permission for Rural East Whistlestop; no reason given
Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers has denied the United Progressive Party’s application to stage a Whistlestop in the St. John’s Rural East constituency on Wednesday afternoon, November 12 – with no reason for the denial given.
The Whistlestop was intended to garner support for the call for an independent investigation into the current scandal emanating out of the Ministry of Public Works, headed by Maria Browne, the parliamentary representative for Rural East.
The request for police permission was made last Thursday, November 6 – after the Party was informed that its request for an islandwide Motorcade on Sunday, November 9, was denied. The reason given, then, was that there would not be enough personnel available on that date, given the Remembrance Day ceremony taking place at The Cenotaph.
In a meeting the following day, Friday, November 7, a Party delegation offered to delay its 10 a.m. gathering time by an hour to allow the conclusion of the ceremony and military procession; however, the Commissioner still refused. He conceded, however, that another date, after November 9, would be honoured.
The Party has since advised the Commissioner that it wishes to proceed with its Motorcade on Sunday, November 16, and has been advised that this will be permitted. However, up until press time, the Party was still awaiting confirmation in writing.
In the meantime, the United Progressive Party invites all right-thinking citizens to support the upcoming Motorcade and all protest actions against the Bronco-gate/Vehicle-gate/Chain-Gang Scandal and to demand an independent investigation into the Ministry of Works and the conspiracy that enabled the fraud reportedly valued at $15 million.
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This is just what’s it’s like in a country with a dictator in charge and this is just the beginning. Antiguans and Barbudans better wake up fast, today they come for me, tomorrow they come for you. Dictators have no friends, they have accomplices. BE WARNED!
Disclaimer: My comment is based solely on the information in this article. I have not seen any statement from the office of the Commissioner to refute the assertion:
The Commissioner has the power to exercise his discretion in matters of public order. However, such discretion must be guided by principles of transparency, reasonableness, and good faith.
The initial refusal, grounded on an alleged shortage of police personnel, was accompanied by an invitation to reapply. In so doing, a legitimate expectation was created that the subsequent application would be treated fairly and on its merits. Therefore, to deny the reapplication without justification undermines procedural fairness and the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and assembly.
The exercise of state authority must never appear arbitrary or politically influenced, for such actions erode public confidence in the impartiality of law enforcement.
While I personally believe there is no usefulness in the whistlestop, personal opinions are irrelevant in these instances. Any denial should be accompanied with a plausible justification.