The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) commenced legal action against seven persons for violating the Racial Hostility and Representation of the People Acts.
When their cases were called in the Georgetown Magistrates Court, five persons pleaded guilty to offences committed separately. The charges filed were for exciting hostility or ill will on the grounds of race under the Racial Hostility Act, and for causing racial or ethnic violence or hatred under the Representation of the People Act.
The five defendants who pleaded guilty: John Gobin, Lashonna Chester, Stacy Smartt, Glynis Gibson and Tiffiny Greene were all fined for the offences committed on separate dates.
The two defendants who pleaded not guilty – Surendrapaul Rampersaud and Steve Anthony Barakat will attend court separately when their cases resume.
Barakat’s case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was adjourned by Magistrate Leron Daly to March 1, 2021 for trial while Rampersaud’s matter was adjourned to March 19 by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court, West Coast Berbice.
The ERC is urging citizens to promote tolerance and understanding, especially towards those of different ethnicities for a better country.
