REGIONAL: St Vincent Union to vote on whether to deny police order

SOURCE: CMC – The Public Service Union (PSU) says its members will vote on Saturday on whether or not to defy a police order and participate in a protest march here next Wednesday.

PSU president, Elroy Bouche, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that an estimated 155 members had attended a meeting on Thursday night where the response of the police to the union’s notice of demonstrations and a march in the capital were discussed.

According to the union, the members were asked to vote on defying the order of the police and hold the procession in Kingstown, on Wednesday, or comply with the route outlined by the police.

Boucher said that one-third of the people voted to have the procession in Kingstown, but that when the vote was taken on whether to use the approved route by the police, only 10 persons voted.

Boucher said that since it was late on Thursday night, it was suggested that the meeting reconvene on Saturday so that members could vote.

Earlier, Boucher told CMC that the PSU had submitted to its lawyers, the response of the police prohibiting demonstrations outside Parliament next week.

“We raised the matter with the legal counsel who will, based on our instructions, draft a response to the commissioner,” Boucher said, adding “we disagree with the (Police) Commissioner’s interpretation of the Public Order Act.

He said that this position had already been communicated to the police during a meeting with the Police Commissioner Colin John and senior police officers earlier this week.

“We understand that the Commissioner seems to be saying a meeting and a demonstration are the same thing. We don’t see how that could be the same thing.

“In addition, too, the Trade Union Act gives us the legal authority to demonstrate but those are not given consideration by the Commissioner. So we are very much disappointed with their response, of course,” Boucher added.

The even by the PSU is part of the efforts to get the government to rescind changes to the public health laws, passed into law on August 5, hours after Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was struck on the head with an object as he walked through an opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) and two public sector unions organised demonstration. Gonsalves had to be flown to neighbouring Barbados for further medical treatment. One woman has been charged as a result of the incident.

Under the amended legislation, various frontline workers are mandated to be vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The amendments allow and give doctors specially selected by the state the final say on who would be granted an exemption on medical grounds, regardless of what people’s personal physicians say.

The PSU has written to the police notifying of its intention to engage in a procession around Kingstown on September 9 and to engage in a demonstration in front of the Kingstown Vegetable Market, from Wednesday to Saturday next week.

But John has responded by informing the union that under the Public Order Act, the Kingstown Vegetable Market is within 200 yards from a point within the precinct of the High Court and Parliament.

“As Commissioner, I cannot usurp the authority that was granted to me by Parliament and authorise your Organisation or anyone to breech (sic) the law. Furthermore, the route you proposed is; if granted, would at some point contravene the specified distance, specified times section of the law.”

He said that having stated the authority given to the Commissioner of Police and the limitations placed on him by the said law, “I have given directions prescribing the route to be taken by the procession.

“The route that is prescribed is between Highway Trading, Arnos Vale and the Sion Hill Intersection on Thursday September 09, 2021 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. This is done in an effort to preserve good order and public safety.”

The Commissioner said that due to the provision of Section 7 and 10 of the Public Order Act, the public meeting at the Kingstown Vegetable Market, is “prohibited”.

But Boucher said that the police chief is denying the union something that it did not request.

“We didn’t write and ask a request. We simply wrote and informed. I don’t see how you could deny someone something if they’re not requesting permission to. But, the legal people, of course, will deal with all of that,” Boucher said.