Police Abuse and A Mother’s Struggle for Justice; The Heart-Wrenching Story of Lucretia Ann Sinclair

New Amsterdam, Guyana – A New Amsterdam single mother’s fight for justice unfolded on social media this morning and it is a tale that echoes the struggle of the many, the powerless, and the vulnerable, against systemic injustice by the Guyana Police Force. Lucretia Ann Sinclair, a local small business owner and nail technician, became the center of an inexplicable police inquiry that left her and her community questioning the integrity of those sworn to protect and serve.

The incident began on a somber evening of November 13th, 2023. Sinclair, surrounded by loved ones, was holding a wake for her sister who had succumbed to cancer. What should have been a night of mourning and reflection turned into a bewildering confrontation with the law.

Ms Sinclair reports that around 9 PM, a jeep load of police officers arrived at her home. The lead officer, identified as Mr. Seeram, demanded her presence for an inquiry regarding a visit she allegedly made to Ashmin Mahadeo, a local woman in the hospital. Confused and distressed, Sinclair tried to clarify the situation, insisting that she hadn’t been in contact with Mahadeo for over a year.

Despite her protests, Sinclair was taken to the Central Police Station, and her phone was confiscated without explanation. The situation escalated quickly, with Seeram accusing Sinclair of obstruction of justice merely for requesting to see the alleged video evidence of her visit to Mahadeo.

According to Ms Sinclair, the night at the station was long and harrowing. She was deprived of her rights and basic human needs and sat helplessly as hours ticked by. Her son Jamal, along with friends and well-wishers who had gathered at the wake, rushed to the station, only to be met with hostility and evasion from the officers.

The following day brought no relief. Sinclair was interrogated without evidence or cause, her pleas and questions dismissed with cold indifference. As the hours stretched into the afternoon, it became increasingly clear that there was no evidence to substantiate the charges against her.

This ordeal raises alarming questions about the treatment of ordinary citizens by those in power. Sinclair’s story is not just about a wrongful accusation; it’s a mirror reflecting the flaws in our justice system—a system where the vulnerable and the powerless are often left to prove their innocence against baseless charges.

As Sinclair awaits justice, her voice resonates with strength and resilience, “I don’t want any apology. I lost money, was denied my right to clear my name, and was embarrassed. I need justice.”  Her ordeal is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by countless others, often unseen and unheard. In her fight, Sinclair stands not just for herself, but for every citizen who has ever felt powerless in the face of injustice.

Sinclair made a public appeal to the Office of the President, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the Guyana Police Force, and the media, hoping for intervention and rectification of this grave miscarriage of justice.  But why should the situation have escalated to this level?  Officer Seeram must be investigated and held to account for his alleged abusive behavior.

Lucretia Ann Sinclair’s story is not just a local issue; it’s a human issue, a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for fairness and accountability in Guyana. As the busy Christmas season approaches, Sinclair’s plea for her phone’s return—a lifeline for her small business—is a poignant symbol of her struggle to reclaim not just her rights, but her dignity and life’s normalcy.  The eyes of Guyana and beyond are now on the unfolding events, waiting to see if justice will indeed be served.