BY FRANCIS JOSEPH
Protester Alyssa Phillip and her mother Camille Caresquero were each granted $60,000 bail following their arrests at the Labour Day Celebrations in Fyzabad last Friday.
They appeared virtually before Master Kateisha Ambrose-Persadsingh in the High Court, South, on Monday. The matter was adjourned to July 20 at the Siparia Magistrates’ Court.Phillip and Caresquero were also arrested on May 27, following a protest near the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain.
“The 19 Bullets, 19 Protests” campaign, spearheaded by Phillip, followed the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to instruct the police to charge Kaia Sealy, 25, with eight offences arising out of the January 20 police-involved shooting of her boyfriend, Joshua Samaroo, in St Augustine. The campaign has ended, according to Phillip.
The two were out on bail following that incident after being charged with disorderly conduct and influencing public opinion in a manner prejudicial to public safety under the Emergency Powers Regulations.
During the hearing yesterday, their attorney, Fayola Sandy argued that following receipt of the complaints and summaries of evidence regarding Friday’s arrest, the defence disputed allegations that Phillip and Carasquero were participating in a separate public march, distinct from the authorized Labour Day procession. Sandy said the factual circumstances surrounding their arrest were materially different from those suggested in the recent media release issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
She added, “There exists extensive video footage, independent witnesses and persons associated with the organisation of the Labour Day procession who are capable of assisting the court in determining what occurred. Both Ms Phillip and Ms Caresquero maintain their innocence and look forward to the matters being determined by the Court on the evidence, rather than by competing public statements.”
She added, “As the matters are now before the Court, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the evidence or to attempt to litigate these proceedings through the media.”
Phillip was charged with being a leader of a march and failing to call on such march to disperse, disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest. Caresquero, who was deemed a participant in the illegal procession, was charged for being present at a march and failing to disperse; obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest.
