Crime: Attack on Young People

Crime: Attack on Young People

Once again, we are called to speak out.

Last week we learned that the Police Force and the Attorney General were found guilty by the Courts for the wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and deprivation of property of SKNVibes journalist Mr. Stachio Williams.

Police arrested Williams last December while trying to take photographs on the scene of a homicide. At the time he was standing across the road behind other onlookers, when he was approached by the Police Officer.

We are called to speak out given that Mr. Stachio Williams is not much older than many of us. In fact, most know Stachio personally and applaud his example to young people as SKNVibes Chief Financial Officer.

The fact is that Stachio Williams suffered in this way because he is a young person. The police would certainly not subject Stanford Conway or Tonie Frederick to the same wrongful arrest and false imprisonment when they do the very same job.

Plain and simple, Stachio’s wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and deprivation of property is an attack on young people.

SKN Students Engage three (3) critical questions: What is gained? What is lost? What is next?

1) What is gained from them found guilty?

Stachio stated to WinnFM, “I’m not really concerned about the money here, my thing is just that to ensure that going forward the media and the Police have a good working relationship and the harassment and mistreatment that we’ve experienced in the past can come to an end”

2) What have we lost?

The Courts will decide June 12^th on the award in damages, but Stachio is right not to be concerned about the money. When our basic dignity is threatened it can never be about the money.

The guilty cannot repay for the wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.

In his own words Stachio says, “He didn’t just arrest me…he actually grabbed me by my pants…held me up like a common criminal in front of crowds of people, hundreds of people over there… handcuffed me and pushed me into their vehicle…”

3) What is next?

We should not forget what Stachio Williams had to suffer. Stachio was only doing his job to inform us on what happens in the community. After 23 young people were murdered last year, THE ANSWER IS NOT TO CRIMINALIZE YOUNG PEOPLE.

We speak out especially since the Government-owned media fails to widely report that the Police Force and Attorney General are found guilty.

SKN Students Engage this silence and speak out against ALL THOSE CULPABLE.

The Attorney General was named in the Court judgment because this is customary in all cases where Government liability arises.

Therefore the Police and the AG are NOT THE ONLY ONES GUILTY.

The chain of command points to the Minister of Information, Mr. Nigel Carty and the Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. Douglas.

SKN Students Engage Mr. Nigel Carty on the FAILURE TO REPORT that the Police and AG are guilty.

SKN Students Engage PM Dr. Douglas on COMMANDS ISSUED TO THE POLICE and responsible law enforcement.

We will not be silent to the wrongful arrest and false imprisonment of young people.

By This Concern, We Vociferate
SKN Students Engaged
A Group of Concerned students in the Federation who will not be SILENT to the urgent political issues of St Kitts and Nevis.