A controversial and racial statement landed a City Mayor and an Opposition Parliamentarian before the courts on Wednesday morning. But not before their arraignment, a large crowd gathered outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to express their utter disdain for the case.
Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine and Opposition Parliamentarian Sherod Duncan were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
It is alleged that on December 12, at New Market Street, Georgetown, both Narine and Duncan attempted to incite racial and ethnic division transmitted via a video. Both men denied the allegation and were given their pretrial liberty at a cost of $200,000 bail each.
Narine and Duncan were slapped with a second charge. It is also alleged that on December 12, they attempted to incite racial hostility to a section of the public on the grounds of their race. The duo denied the allegation.
The Chief Magistrate granted Duncan and Narine $100,000 bail for each count. The case was adjourned to January 20, 2023.
The men were also ordered by the Chief Magistrate to refrain from posting or airing any material relating to the incident pending the outcome of the case.
Meanwhile, the men were then arraigned before Magistrate Clive Nurse. It is alleged that on December 12, at the GPHC, they obstructed the free flow of traffic. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on self-bail.
Meanwhile, outside the courthouse, vendors gathered awaiting the outcome of the charges leveled against the two men. Many expressed their anger, calling on the courts to release the Mayor and the Parliamentarian.
Opposition Parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir told reporters that the charges laid against the duo were a plan by the current administration to “demoralize” both persons who have been critical of their regime.
“This is a clear message that they can mobilize the state machinery against anybody who opposes them. It is a complete hallmark of a dictatorship. And so we do not put anything past them at the moment. Our focus is to maintain and intensify the fight,” she said.
