(Trinidad Express) Acting top cop James Philbert has admitted his officers may have used excessive force against protesters outside the Red House in Port of Spain.
On Friday, a clash between protesters and police turned into a physical confrontation which ended with the arrest of labour leader David Abdulah and minor injuries to several of his comrades.
The incident took place as the People’s Democracy staged a picket on the pavement outside the Red House to protest the implementation of the proposed property tax. The protest coincided with the parliamentary debate on the Property Tax bill.
Women were pushed by heavily armed policemen and batons were swung and struck several of their male comrades. During a telephone interview moments after the incident, Philbert said he did not think there was a need for all that force by his officers. Philbert said video footage captured by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around the Parliament will be reviewed.
When contacted by telephone on Sunday, Abdulah said he heard about Philbert’s comments but has not been apologised to personally by the acting top cop.
Abdulah, who is currently out on TT$500 own bail, has been charged for ’obstructing a free passageway in violation of section 50 (1) of the Highway Act chapter 48.01’. This law states that ’any person, who without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway is liable to a fine of $200’.
