Dear Editor,
August 17, 2012 will mark one year since I was assaulted by a senior police officer [name given]. This cowardly act took place at the Square of the Revolution while I was at an event sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture. As the officer grabbed my arm, he asserted that my crime was that I was wearing a green t-shirt with David Granger’s face on it, and he aggressively demanded that I leave the venue immediately lest he throw me in the lock-up. The officer in question would attest to the fact that I left the venue peacefully, as I did not want to disrupt the public activity; my only question to him was, “What is the reason?” He responded, “This is not politics; yuh jersey wrang.” I was astounded.
Correspondence in the Office of the Police Commissioner would indicate that a few days after the incident I wrote then Commissioner Greene and outlined the issues involved, including the violation of my basic right of association and assembly by the officer. Later in October, after the issue had been reported in the media, Commissioner Greene, by way of a letter to me acknowledged receipt of my complaint and informed me that the matter would be investigated. I have heard nothing since.
I am hoping that the acting Police Commissioner will apprise me of the status of this situation, as I vow to pursue this matter to the end. I hope that I do not have to reinvent the wheel in order to get justice in this case. The officer should be held accountable for his actions.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
