| Commission of Inquiry hears…– protestors “stopped to rest”From a line of questions by Commissioner Dana Seetahal (SC), it was revealed yesterday that demonstrators in Linden on July 18, last, violated the stipulated time given by the police who granted permission for the protest against the rise in electricity tariffs.The Trinidadian Senior Counsel, part of a five-member team chairing the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Linden shooting, had directed her questions to Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon, who was the first witness of the day Solomon said that he applied for permission for a demonstration on July 18,Cheap Jerseys Paypal, and four days after, by a request to the Commander of the E and F Division. The letter, he said, was responded to by Officer in Charge, Mr. Sutton. Solomon said that he requested five days for demonstrations against the electricity tariff hike and permission was granted.He continued that on July 16 he had a meeting with Commander Clifton Hicken. That meeting dealt with the terms for the demonstrations. Solomon said that permission for the demonstrations was subject to conditions, and as far as he could remember, the conditions were that the procession would be overseen by marshals; that the demonstrators would move at the intended time outlined in the request; and that the demonstrations should in no way impede the flow of traffic on the roadways.Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon (right) takes the oath before testifyingThe stipulated time for the march on July 18 was 09:00 hours; demonstrators would march from the Community Centre which is located on one side of the Mackenzie Bridge and then congregate at the Toucan Call Centre, located on the other end of the bridge.At 13:30 hours, a meeting was supposed to be held at the call centre until 17:00 hours, following which the demonstrators would disperse in an orderly manner. On the requested days subsequent to that, the demonstrators would again meet at the Toucan Call Centre at 13: 30 hours for more meetings.Commissioner Seetahal asked Solomon if in light of the information put forward in connection with the demonstration; that is, permission for the protest, the stipulated time and the conditions for the demonstration, “What were you doing holding a meeting in the middle of the bridge at 17:00 hours in the afternoon?”Solomon explained that those present for the procession expressed exhaustion and sought to rest on the bridge since the call centre was located some distance away from the march’s starting point. He also explained that in numerous demonstrations previously held in the community,Cheap NFL Jerseys, demonstrators would stop on the bridge,Cheap Jerseys For Sale, but would subsequently remove.Apart from that, Solomon said he was explaining to those on the bridge that permission was still being sought for the exact location of the meetings. He indicated that in totality, the march and meeting place had not been finalized with him,Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale, thus he read out the programme for the demonstration to the crowd.Solomon, however, answered when asked, that he did not directly tell those gathered on the bridge that they should remove, knowing that demonstrators congregating there, was unlawful.That particular question was asked on different occasions by Attorney-at-law Euclin Gomes, Attorney Peter Hugh, Commissioner K.D. Knight Q.C., Commissioner Dana Seetahal S.C and Commissioner Cecil Kennard, CCH.Solomon said he could not remember using those words to instruct the gathering, but he recalled words to that effect, since his speech on the bridge pointed to them congregating at the Toucan Call Centre and what would take place there.Solomon said that he never saw the police shoot at anyone because he was not in the location where the shots were fired. He said he however heard noise like gunfire and heard people screaming that someone was shot.He said he started to move towards the screams but subsequently saw persons running towards him with the injured.He later said that it was after the shooting on the bridge that he received a letter from Commander Hicken explaining that the rules of permission were violated and that permission would have to be re-evaluated for further requests. That letter, he said, came around 18:00 hours at his regional office.Attorney Hugh had the Commission replay video footage showing an excerpt from Solomon’s speech on the bridge. Hugh wanted to show that Solomon was knowledgeable of the protestors taking over the bridge and with him telling the demonstrators that they had taken “possession” of the significant thoroughfare.The lawyer also wanted to show a part of Solomon’s speech telling protestors to get on the social networks and call out more persons to join the gathering on the bridge.The Region Ten Chairman however explained that his telling the demonstrators about possession of the bridge at the time was referring to their stopping and occupying it to rest. And in response to telling the demonstrators to call out more persons,Cheap Jerseys From China, he said he was referring to them joining the protest, which did not mean blocking the bridge.The footage, however,NFL Jerseys Cheap, failed to highlight Hugh’s point to the Commissioners. |
