ST. JOHNS, Antigua and Barbuda – OPPOSITION LEADER Lester Bird and six of his top party supporters were charged for violating the Public Order Act.

The Antigua Sun reports that summonses would be served to the offenders and they would have to appear before a magistrate to answer the charges.

Minister of National Security Dr. Errol Cort said he was advised by acting Commissioner of Police Thomas Bennett that charges would be laid. However, he did not reveal the identities of any of the accused besides Bird, or expound on the exact nature of the charges they would face.

The incident in question is a rally staged by the Bird-led Antigua Labour Party (ALP) during an event hosted by the affiliated Antigua Trades and Labour Union (ATLU) on Monday (May 4). The two entities had disagreed leading up to the event, due to the ATLU’s insistence that it did not want any political figures speaking on its platform. However, the ALP maintained that Bird and other members would speak, regardless of ATLU wishes.

According to Caribbean 360, Bennett said he had granted permission for only those persons the ATLU had indicated would be speaking at the rally. But during the event, ALP members stormed the stage and proceeded to address the crowd.

ATLU General Secretary Stafford Joseph attributed the union’s stepping aside to “a desire to maintain peace and order”, but noted that he was unhappy with the actions of the police.
He alleged that the senior officer on duty had disobeyed Bennett’s instructions and failed to take appropriate action.

Cort confirmed that the officer had been relieved of his duties pending investigations.

“The laws of this country will be enforced without fear or favour and if there is any law enforcement officer who is unable or unwilling to enforce the law, then I request that you tender your resignation forthwith. There is no room in our society for such inaction,” stressed the National Security Minister.