No crime committed removing a political flag- Attorney Washington

United States-based attorney-at-law Ms. Shellon Washington is questioning the appropriateness of members of the Guyana Police Force arresting a woman for the alleged removal of a party flag from a lamp post.

Police last Sunday afternoon arrested Lancaster-Hogstyle Neighbourhood Democratic Council Chairperson, Ms Sheron Vanessa Smith. She was held at the Whim Police Station overnight and reportedly had to sleep on a bench. This publication learnt Smith was on Monday morning she was released around 11:00 a.m. on $ 20, 000 bail. She was represented by attorneys-at-law Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Ms. Amanza Walton-Desir.

Speaking on Mr. Mark Benschop’s “Straight Up” Programme last evening, Washington said there is no crime committed to remove a party flag from the public space. “This is not a national flag.”  According to the lawyer, she does not understand how the person could have been arrested and expressed concern that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is using law enforcement to further their agenda, not impose the law.

She questioned what law the police are enforcing arresting someone for removing a flag, when the law does not support such an arrest or charge against the person. This is “cowboy justice,” the attorney shared, as she called on Guyana to start taking the government and police to court for wrongful arrests. She is of the opinion that when people start filing lawsuits against the government and police this may be a way to force democracy in Guyana.

Editor note’s:- yesterday this publication inadvertently state Smith was charged.