Charges against ALP 6 dismissed

The six Antigua Labour Party members, charged for breaching the Public Order Act had the , charges against them  dismissed yesterday by Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh.

Opposition Leader Lester Bird along with party chairman Gaston Browne, St Peter Member of Parliament Asot Michael, ALP St Paul representative Paul “Chet” Greene, General Secretary Mary Claire Hurst and ALP executive member Carlton Lake were jointly charged for inciting, organising and taking part in a march in breach of the Act.

A permit dated February 11, 2011, granted on behalf of the ALP  gave permission to the party to hold the march and take a course up Long Street.  The march moved off from Michael’s Mount and upon reaching the vicinity of High Street allegedly bolted through a police barricade.

The riot squad was called out but later withdrawn.

The Antigua observer reports that after hearing from Inspector Albert Chastenet and Deputy Commissioner Henry Christian, Walsh told the six accused that they were free to go.