Six Salisbury residents appear in court

Scene outside the court on Tuesday
Scene outside the court on Tuesday

Six persons from the community of Salisbury appeared before Chief Magistrate Candia Carette George on Tuesday charged under the “Riot Act”.

They are alleged to have refused to disperse when told to so do on May 11, 2015 while hundreds of villagers staged a protest action by blocking roads to get the attention of the government to repair feeder roads in that farming community.

The road was eventually cleard by the police using tear gas.

The six were arrested on June 11, sparking another round of protest action, and were taken to Police Headquarters where they were granted bail.

They are Keith Bougouneau, Alex Howe, Hilary John, Gilbert Frederick, Christina Eusebe and Peter Vidal.

They are represented by a battery of lawyers including Zena Dyer, David Bruney, Joshua Francis, Cara Shillingford and Ronald Charles.

They did not enter a plea because the matter is an indictable one.

After reading the charge which was amended and laid indictable, Charles expressed his “disgust and disappointment” that the defendants were served in the “precincts of the court” which, he said, is contrary to the spirit of the law.

However, it was the submissions of Francis which raised many eyebrows as he asked the court “strike out the charges” since they were “inconsistent with the Riot Act.”

He told the court, that the provisions of the Riot Act clearly speak of “12 people or more” and only six people were arrested.

“The court must interpret the Constitution … and so the face of the charge is defective and should be struck out,” Francis stated.

Francis went on to explain to the court that his understanding of the Riot Act is that 12 persons must be charged.

Carette George pointed out to Francis that he “may have a valid point” but six were brought in and she has a different perspective on the matter and she will not dismiss the charges.

She also said that she would excuse herself from the matter which will now be before a different magistrate in St. Joseph on October 27, 2015.

No conditions were given for their bail.

A large crowd of family, friends, supporters and well wishers gathered outside the courtroom and were extremely noisy when the group was released amid a strong police presence.

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61 Comments

  1. pkillip
    June 17, 2015

    Teach a man to fish, he will not go hungry. Fix the feeder roads in Salisbury so the farmers can feed themselves and their families. Bottom line the garden is there source of income. If Agriculture was your source of income, you would understand,. stay bless. Please every time you guys get paid, and about to cash your pay check, please remember the farmers in Salisbury.

  2. Clayton Shillingford
    June 17, 2015

    Quoting from above

    However, it was the submissions of Francis which raised many eyebrows as he asked the court “strike out the charges” since they were “inconsistent with the Riot Act.”

    He told the court, that the provisions of the Riot Act clearly speak of “12 people or more” and only six people were arrested.

    “The court must interpret the Constitution … and so the face of the charge is defective and should be struck out,” Francis stated.

    Francis went on to explain to the court that his understanding of the Riot Act is that 12 persons must be charged.

    Seems that Joshua Francis is correct..So why were the charges not dropped as they were defective..What is the view of the legal fraternity and the Bar Association or are they once more going to hide behind the bushes

    • June 17, 2015

      Mr C S you have lost all credibility in my eye.

    • Peter Potter
      June 17, 2015

      Because that would not have suited the government and the police force.

  3. Ivory...
    June 17, 2015

    If the law is to protect its citizen, then why become foolish heroes? If those same Police Officers were to sit and over look while they were acting fool!!! then we as a citizen would criticize the Police officers for not doing there job. Dominicans on a whole are just disrespectful, like attention and will do any thing to have the paparazzi take their Pictures…troublemakers…lock them up….sot….

    Allow the Law in place to protect the citizen of the land…as much as we fill the power of freedom of speech, at time saying nothing could mean more…having the public chanting while others disrespect the law! it like pouring gasoline in the fire….officers are human too…if we do not respect the law what examples are we setting for the children of the future…

    • Ivory...
      June 17, 2015

      their job

  4. Augustine Lockhart
    June 17, 2015

    The protest and blocking of the road in the other instances were lalour strong holes.Salisbury isn’t. God is watching.

  5. June 17, 2015

    the real facts if you think is one set no law or no constitution can stop you makeing a sad mistake

  6. June 17, 2015

    The “Salisbury Six” must stand before the mighty Labour Power and answer for their action., Labourites and other law-abiding Dominicans demand that these violent criminals be punished to the full extent of the law. Dropping charges will NOT be an option. The “Salisbury Six” will be made an example of for all those who seek to overthrow our great Supreme Leader and the blessed Labour Party Government. The minority will not prevail. The cowards who organized these riots believed that it would spread across the Island. It was not to be! Everything these people try against the great and powerful Labour Power fails miserably. Our blessed and ordained, highly esteemed Prime Minister, His Holiness, Dr. Roosevelt M. Skerrit is protected by all the angels in Heaven. The evil and envious leaders of the Uneducated Wicked People cannot and will NOT touch this great KING of Dominica. Investigations are continuing and more will be arrested until they ALL face the justice of Labour Power.

    • Shameless
      June 17, 2015

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: ! Keep on dreaming with your twisted mentality. :twisted: :twisted:

      I AM SALISBURY, ARE U?
      Assertive, NOT Aggressive!

    • Homie
      June 17, 2015

      Strong word. ” Supreme” “Great” “Powerful” “King”. Hummm is that Jesus you are referring to hon? Watch it now

  7. D$$$$ travel
    June 17, 2015

    You cant make foolish people wise these powers that be just could not leave well alone. They want to prove a point just hope it doesnt come back to hunt them.

  8. Moore Park
    June 17, 2015

    When all is said and done, regardless of who is right or wrong my Island home is looking UGLY on the WORLD WIDE WEB!!!!!!

  9. Felix AAron
    June 17, 2015

    It is very unfortunate that the UWP want to compare their rejection by the electorate with slavery or apartheid.
    The UWP is a victim of their own concoction. For years they fantasize about being victims of a corrupt government.
    They dreamed of a Dominica where the justice system is corrupt and the church and institutions of state are complicit.
    Today they think they have brainwashed a sufficient segment of the population to incite them to rise up against a duly elected government.
    I recognize by their language that most of those commenting against the government are either brainwashed or are part of the propaganda machine propagating a doctrine of hate anger and jealousy.
    They have lost their sense of reasoning and are suffering from lust for power syndrome.
    This is the source of the senseless action of the riotous mob at Salisbury.

  10. rut weiler
    June 16, 2015

    Austrie, your other time will come. You are ungrateful to God for saving your life. Way pa pa.

    • RUTWeiler
      June 18, 2015

      u peepip ? peepip said he is a Rut Weiler trained in the jungle of Guyana

  11. kimi
    June 16, 2015

    @shamless. Why are you so angry. The people voted labour party for the next 5 years why cant you wait until next election to vote them out.why the war on power hungry.linton an afi creatin problems in the country an the puppet sprax john.

    • Shameless
      June 17, 2015

      My dear Kimi, I am not angry but rather sick to my stomach of this corrupt cabal. Just an FYI I know what I am talking about and cannot be bought by anyone. This was a ruthless attack on the Salisbury people just because they did not vote for the DLP. Any blind and moomoo person can see that. As a Dominican patriot I will never condone injustice.

      I AM SALISBURY, ARE U? 8)
      Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted: :twisted:

  12. kimi
    June 16, 2015

    12or moree people assembled. Salisbury had hundreds. I guess the police arrest who they tout send stones ect.

  13. Ghost
    June 16, 2015

    I AM Salisbury are you? Less talk more action when you need things to be done!!!! I’m in 100% in support of the resident of Salisbury

  14. mine
    June 16, 2015

    You all are celebrating wrong doing but God is watching wickedness never pay. One day you all will ask what did we do. People pray prayers move mountain I thought these guys were peaceful people but by what am seeing you all were fooling people. God is watching and he don’t like ugly.

  15. The Real Facts
    June 16, 2015

    Obey the Law and the Police and you will not be charged. So what type of people are you to disobey the Law and listen to others who influence you and spur you on to disobedience?
    You think you have rights? What about other nationals whom you obstructed from going about their daily affairs? Do they not have rights? Do the Police not have right to ask you to disperse? They are in authority and you refused to do so? This is downright disobedience to the Law and to the Police.
    If you obey the Law and live a law-abiding life, you will have nothing to worry about. Disobedience of the Law and the Police will get none anywhere except to be arrested, charged, fined or imprisoned.
    I hope those who encouraged you will pay your Court cost but they know very well if you have no money, the lawyers fees will be paid by D/can taxpayers. They should be angry about that. Too many radicals and criminals disobey, harm others and get free legal fees at the expense of taxpayers.

    • %
      June 16, 2015

      Next time they will even block your mouth. LOVE YOU SALISBURY.STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!

    • anonymous2
      June 16, 2015

      How wrong you are.

    • Country Woman
      June 17, 2015

      Sort

    • fantastic4
      June 17, 2015

      So REAL FACTS lets go down memory lane – the protest & blocking of the roads over the Aspahlt plant in Layou and the blocking of the roads in Bense over the water supply, plus the protest by bus drivers in Soufierre for deployable roads – why weren’t the protesters arrested? were they at the time obeying the law? why is Salisbury being singled out? what about the big protest in 79 and the damage caused and what about the bus strike and protest in 94 with Rosie and labour party over license fees where not only roads were blocked but planes were not allowed to land at the Canefield Airport – are you saying the protestors then were obeying the law? Emmmmmmh!!!!!

    • jean bawi
      June 17, 2015

      the protest & blocking of the roads over the Aspahlt plant in Layou and the blocking of the roads in Bense over the water supply, plus the protest by bus drivers in Soufierre for deployable roads – why weren’t the protesters arrested? were they at the time obeying the law? why is Salisbury being singled out?

      • joe
        June 18, 2015

        did they stone the police? it was a RIOTOUS MOB!!!!!!!!!

  16. Tampa
    June 16, 2015

    Here is what British law used to be on this.

    “The Riot Act (1713) (1 Geo.1 St.2 c.5) was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain which authorised local authorities to declare any group of more than twelve people to be unlawfully assembled, and thus have to disperse or face punitive action. The Act, whose long title was “An act for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies, and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the rioters”, came into force on 1 August 1715, and remained on the statute books until 1973.
    The Riot Act drifted into disuse. The last time it was read in the United Kingdom was in Birkenhead on 3rd August, 1919, during the second police strike when large numbers of police officers from Birkenhead, Liverpool and Bootle joined the strike. None of the rioters subsequently faced the charge of a statutory felony.”

    Why is our government and police clinging to this antiquated law? Maybe we are still a colony and forgot to abolish the law.

    • Felix AAron
      June 17, 2015

      Stop using quotes out of context. Laws are repealed and replace. There is still a riot act in england, Canada and the USA.

      Get your facts straight.

  17. who vex vex
    June 16, 2015

    Uwp and laba killing d damn country,
    1 hand cannot clap only if u beat it on ur lap n u will just be heating ur lap not clapping

  18. %
    June 16, 2015

    LOVE YOU ALL IN SALISBURY!
    A potent message was sent to the corrupt gang.

  19. nigel
    June 16, 2015

    is that Mr. Laurent with those mangoes in his hands in teh second picture???

    • charles
      June 16, 2015

      no, looks like him but no

  20. fantastic4
    June 16, 2015

    The protest turned ugly on May and June 11 due to poor policing tactics. Both days ended with no fatalities on either side due to divide intervention, God protects the innocent – the people and police were peaceful and back to normal life in their village for an entire month. On June 11th was the dreadful DAY when the police came back like a thief in the night, very unprofessionally, in a true gangster type raid, ambush that disrupted the peace and tranquility of the village. The objective to arrest could have been approached in many different ways rather than the high handed and reckless approach which I am convinced was influenced by political directives- (Nassief confirms being given directives and obeyed, who are the police not too); I want to remind the police when the dust settles you will be the same ones to encourage all to community policing – with that kind of aggression how are you going to achieve community policing. Swallow the pride admit the blunder. Case dismissed.

    • fantastic4
      June 16, 2015

      ………and to add Mr. Commissioner and Mr. Deputy Commissioner stamp your mark in Dominica get unite and get your men together and make the force independent of politics, do what you have to ………. politicians come and politicians go you have a legacy to protect stamp out the political interference and do it boldly…without fear nor favor do the right be firm trust me Dominica and the World will hold you in high esteem.

  21. Shameless
    June 16, 2015

    The best is yet to come…get ready for the eventual fall-out because that is total nonesense. Instead of the police dropping the charges they have read “modified” charges which means that the charges stay in place?

    Not only that but they have charged the “Salisbury 6” under a law that was designed for ancient civilization like the Salisbury people are slaves or indentured servants of the cabal? C’est deeryeah bonda kee nee bonda! This country is spiraling out of control and those who remain silent on the evils of this dictatorial regime will regret it some day soon. Time will surely tell :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: !

    Its been a week now since the bishop met with the Salisbury people. Where is he? Has he been neutralized by the cabal? He need to update us on his efforts.

    I AM SALISBURY, ARE U? 8)
    Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted: :twisted:

    • The truth
      June 17, 2015

      Ignorence

      • Shameless
        June 17, 2015

        Thanks for the compliment! I guess the truth hurts :mrgreen: :mrgreen: ! May god bless you abundantly and show you the light.

        I AM SALISBURY, ARE U?
        Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

  22. bougla
    June 16, 2015

    i have to say if protesters blocked one of the main roads in manhattan new york or london the police would have been very active. peaceful protest is the key.

    • jean bawi
      June 17, 2015

      Peaceful protest was done and did not work!

    • original hold dem
      June 17, 2015

      we not in Manhattan, new York or London… fool

  23. Doc. Love
    June 16, 2015

    Why must the lawyers of UWP always have to educate those Government legal representatives about the laws of Dominica. During the days of lawyer Earl, he had to educate them legally. Recently, Mr. Lennox Linton, although not a lawyer, had to give them a legal education when they changed the name of the airport from Melville Hall to Douglas/Charles. Today, Mr. Joshua Francis, had to educate them concerning the provisions of the Riot Act. It is about time Skeritt put his foot down, those legal officers of the Government are an embarrassment to him and Dominica. The rest of the Caribbean must be having a good laugh. In their minds, six of one , halve a dozen of the other is twelve. Better yet , two individual pairs of shoes size six, as far as they as concerned, is twelve. Way, pa, pa. :lol:

  24. Kharma comes around
    June 16, 2015

    This really is a joke right!!? I think what everyone should be paying attention too maybe entirely interesting. Exactly how much pay does a Minister and the PM get a year? All any intelligent person in Dominica has to do is work out the math. How many properties do the Ministers and PM now own? I think if people actually calculated this they would see that on their wages the Ministers and PM absolutely could not afford to pay for their living standards now!! Or have been able to have obtained so much over the years! So therefore where on earth has the money come from?? This is a simple question? My fellow Dominicans voted the Labour Government in for another 5 years. I think truly my fellow Dominicans should really ask the question WHY when it is so blatantly obvious that the funds must be from very dubious sources!! The Salisbury people should not be having to go back to court it really is a no brainer! Very sad situation indeed.

  25. Shaka zulu
    June 16, 2015

    I want to know when was this riot act passed and what is the statutes of limitations for arresting and charging someone for rioting and murder. If these guys were arrested then Reginald Austri, should be arrested for aiding Rosie block Roseau, Canfield and caulihaut, and riot and stoning of police in grandbay in Late 90’s a few folks in calibishi and Bense for blocking roads in protest and our dear President should be in jail for leading a shut down of the country which caused the death of a 19 year old and countless injuries to others. Today he is sitting on his high horse silent to the abuse and victimization. ………Keep it up. Every rope have end and every dog has its day.

  26. Labourttt
    June 16, 2015

    Sooooo many allegations of wrong doing gedhave been brought against the party in power. Not one big fish has been punished by the law.
    The police who were quick to jump on Salisbury people backs must investigate all alleged illegal n corrupt , n bad behaviour of the big fishes . If poor people can get charge, why not goooo After them big fish. .
    To those in authority let the people express their democratic rights. The government must provide for the people. .. not playing their nasty political games of victimizaton n great acts of prejudice n injustice

    • Farmer
      June 16, 2015

      No doubt about that!
      I just heard on some bz-ness news, a Saudi prince sued Forbes magazine 4 under rating his NET worth by a few billions. Those guys on stage & in Charge currently would kill Forbes over their net worth lol
      They should have been arrested from since 2004 from the first crime against the state the land transfer deal when the tax was not paid. Matt in the morn brought it out in a news paper article.It went to court and Matt in the morn went mute.He tries to play it down but despite his pretext of the law/legality nothing was made public as to the agreement or settlement. It remains a secrete like the MOU with China. Then we have lawyers who acutually representing the 6 who have skeletons al sorts fish , cattle human bones. helping old folk and then taking their earthly possessions is a crime too just like making false wills in family land & house disputes
      The opposition is no dif just as corrupt. the country needs a blow up & a brand new beginning.

      • Farmer
        June 16, 2015

        All we need are few determined men & women who will not deviate like the six on trial lol we will need about 10000 serious folk to bring about a permanent change once and for all so we will need no more in the future. Put all those evil characters behind bars no trial let them study law in there. They cannot come out so no need to request acceptance to the Bar. lol
        Am not nuts that’s what we need here no BS-ters in Power real no nonsense guys.
        You are a childhood friend u screw up , you are screwed.

  27. Mal casse
    June 16, 2015

    Just to point out. The incident where police officers killed the man in Portsmouth, charges were brought months after after the event. The officers were on free for almost a year – doing their thing. it is very interesting how charges were brought so quickly against these protesters. Many wicked people claimed the police were doing their duty.

    God hates ugliness! when you gain power or wealth through diabolic /satanic influence – you have to keep on doing more evil to maintain and most time you go deeper and deeper in evil to do so.

    • Peter Potter
      June 16, 2015

      Well there you see, that is the difference of them and us. The police force and Skerrit and his gang can do what they want, nobody blinks an eye. We are also to blame because we’ve been watching and talking about it for years. Have we done anything about it…? NO!

  28. joe
    June 16, 2015

    Salisbury residents are being used by politicians who are thirsty and hungry for power!!!!!!!! ABOVE ALL THEY HAVE FALLEN FOR THE FASCIST TRICK OF DEMONIZING ROOSEVELT SKERRIT!!!!!

    All these people see is their HATRED for SKERRIT!!!!!!!

    • time will tell
      June 16, 2015

      i quite agree. Salisbury people are now made laughing stuck of the country. I know peaceful protest can turn deadly but that wasn’t the case. blocking the public road is an offence and if that’s the case everyone in need of a feeder road should protest? that’s a joke Salisbury people. you guys are just been taken for a ride and politically made a skape goat of Lennox.

      • jean bawi
        June 17, 2015

        peaceful protests were held in Roseau over a year ago and they were ignored! the parl rep has tried to bring it to the attention of the authorities thru parlaiment and he was insulted by the speaker! DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN THE NEXT STEP?

    • %
      June 16, 2015

      @ joe I dont think so at all. I think you are being used as a DLP doormat because of your lazyness. Salisbury people do not beg. Most of them farm the land.GIVE THEM FARM ROADS.

      • joe
        June 17, 2015

        % You must be a one of those Psychic to be able through this medium know so much about me? Well if the SALISBURY FARMERS ARE SO INDUSTRIOUS AND DO NOT BEG WHY ARE THEY BEGGING THE GOVERNMENT TO FIX THEIR ROADS?? Just for your information Feeder Roads are not government responsibility, these are roads that LEADS TO PEOPLE PERSONAL LANDS!!!!

        All the energy they released would be better used if they had all come together get some materials and FIX THE DAM ROAD!!!!!!! So they are WICKED!!! Then they complain the hospital has no pain killers, but want government to fix road leading to their private personal land!!!!!!!

        How is that benefiting me as a tax payer?? The government priority must be for the people not only for Salisbury residents…….. I think the word doormat best suits the SALISBURY PEOPLE THOSE PROTESTING ARE ALL UWP TEAM DUNCE DOORMAT…… THANK YOU

    • breathe
      June 16, 2015

      So this is a political issue? Hatred for skerro? i mean seriously. i can understand how many like this comment got. remember the layou protest? r the villagers benefiting? how bout the gas plant in jimmit. How many of u actually have Venezuelan gas? it was suppose to b more competitive for shell right? the wait continues. so when there was the huge riot in dame EC reign was it hatred against her or was for betterment?

  29. MAN KIND
    June 16, 2015

    what a big joke? this cannot be getting serious ,if the riot act says twelve or more then six does not cut it even a fifth grader would understand that .
    no words to express best left unsaid.

    • joe
      June 16, 2015

      And i guess you have confirmed that statement?? so the police hands are tied right because right now an individual in you and joshua mind cannot be charged under this act??

    • joe
      June 16, 2015

      Man Kind go and start RIOTING ALL BY YOURSELF there is no charge …. FOOLISH!!!!!!!

  30. Peter Potter
    June 16, 2015

    So the regime and the police force are prepared to take this further. Well, well, well! You’re gonna regret this move, this just might be the straw that broke the camels back!

    • Truth and Knowledge
      June 16, 2015

      In more ways than one, and certainly not in the way you appear to think!

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