March 18, 2001
 

JAMAICANS UNITED AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY 

PROTEST ON MONDAY MARCH 19 AT JAMAICAN CONSULATE

PRESS RELEASE

A PICKET ORGANIZED BY JAMAICANS UNITED AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY (JUAPB) WAS STAGED OUTSIDE THE JAMAICAN CONSULATE IN NEW YORK CITY ON MONDAY, MARCH 19.

THE PICKETERS WERE PROTESTING THE RECENT KILLING OF 7 YOUTH BY THE JAMAICAN POLICE FORCE.

LEAFLETS WERE HANDED OUT ACCUSING THE JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT OF BEING "CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICY OF EXECUTING SO-CALLED CRIMINAL SUSPECTS RATHER THAN BRINGING THEM BEFORE THE COURTS."

ACCORDING TO JUAPB:

"WE MUST ACT TO LET THE GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWERS TO PUT AN END TO THIS CRIMINAL POLICY OF POLICE EXECUTIONS.

"IF THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO CHANGE THIS POLICY WE MUST BE PREPARED TO CALL FOR A BOYCOTT OF JAMAICA AS A TOURIST DESTINATION. SANCTIONS WORKED IN SOUTH AFRICA. IT CAN WORK IN JAMAICA."

MANY JAMAICANS ENTERING THE BUILDING ON 3RD AVENUE NODDED THEIR AGREEMENT WITH THE PROTESTERS. ONE YOUNG MAN ACCUSED THE POLICE OF BEING GUNS FOR HIRE AND SAID THAT THE "YOUTH MUST ORGANIZE.'

JUAPB HAS PLEDGED TO CONTINUE WEEKLY PICKETING OF THE CONSULATE UNTIL  ACTION IS TAKEN AGAINST SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT RENETO ADAMS AND HIS MEN FOR KILLING THE SEVEN YOUTH.

A DELEGATION WENT INTO THE CONSULATE TO SPEAK TO CONSUL GENERAL DR. BASIL BRYAN BUT WAS  TOLD THAT HE WAS  NOT IN OFFICE.

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