Bush Making Big Return To White House
Annette Insdorf: The Central Park Five Premieres in Cannes
Update 10/13/09: The group has returned back to the States. Read here for their experience.
Six Brooklyn tourists began defending themselves Wednesday against charges of "battery on police, disorderly conduct, using indecent language and wounding and malicious behavior," according to the Antigua Observer.
According to a report, cab driver Joey Medica drove the group to the police station when they refused to pay their cab fare after getting off of the Carnival Destiny cruise line. It was at the police station that accounts become sketchy: A violent melee allegedly broke out between the vacationers and plainclothes officers, and, of course, each side blames the other.
Shoshannah Henry, one of the defendants pictured above, says the officers failed to identify themselves, and then one of them punched her in the face, "We thought those people were trying to kill us."
According to Medica, the 6th prosecution witness, though, the charged are to blame:
There is where the whole thing got out of hand more, all the passengers were throwing 'tump' and bite and doing all sort of thing pulling the officers hair all kind a thing was going on. It got so nasty I was kind of frighten I never see something like that in me life in the station yard, all I been saying you all behave, behave ... they were even beating their own friends as they were beating Sergeant Clarke.
Each of the accused was released on $5,000 bail, but they have been detained in Antigua since Sept. 4. Relatives released this statement:
We would like everyone to know these are professional, hard-working, educated individuals, church members of American and Caribbean heritage, and all are active members of their communities and civic organizations here in New York City. The six detainees are:
Rachel Henry, age 27; certified chef; fashion and runway model
Shoshannah Henry, age 24; singer-songwriter; law school student
Dolores Lalanne, age 25; social worker
Nancy Lalanne, age 22; licensed practical nurse
Joshua Jackson, age 25; crew chief for international airline; customer service representative for utilities company
Mike Pierre-Paul, age 25; licensed practical nurse
We ask that the media respect the privacy of the families involved. We request continued support from American officials for the immediate and safe return of the detainees. And we ask that all people of good conscience keep us in your prayers.
The hearing continues today, and according to their attorney, the defendants pled not guilty.
Comments: (4)
Add a comment
By: shay on 9/20/2009 4:33PM
I'm sitting here wondering why this is the first time I've heard about this case. I don't want to cry racism but what the heck. Whenever non blacks are held over seas for whatever reason, it's all over the news. I will keep all of these people in my prayers and do whatever I can to help to get them home.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Antiguan Luvly on 9/21/2009 2:17AM
Help them get home? What do you expect from ghetto brooklynites. Even in my country they're uncouth, and show how tacky they are. They're always trying to get something for nothing. Where was their professionalism and christianity when they wanted a free ride, then to beat on the law? They are a bunch of liars who knew they were going to the police station. I know not all cops are good, but people think they can cry racism continuously, and pretend to be ignorant victims. I hope they teach them a lesson and stick it to them real good. I moved to America from Antigua 9 years ago. I lived with my Aunty in Brooklyn and couldn't believe how rude these people really are. They talked about my long hair, my light skin color, my accent, why I speak french. OMG they are so nosy. There are a bunch of people in BKLYN with an accent. I went back home for a couple of months and who was there to greet me, people from Brooklyn. They are very loud and obnoxious. I live in New Jersey and love it so.
Report This
By: Court on 9/22/2009 10:21AM
Ms.Antiguan Luvly, from what I have heard the cab driver told them the price would be $50 but afterwards changed it to $100 and completely lied. So what are you speaking of? If you feel that way about black americans then why are you here. Go back to Angigua. It's not Black New Yorkers that are rude but New Yorkers period but from my experience you foreigners move here and do nothing but kiss a** so I can see why you think it's only black americans. Aunt Jane...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: jeannette on 9/22/2009 2:30PM
Wow, I agree why is this the first I ever heard of this story. This is totally horrible. People think they can do what they want to you. I beleive those officers did not identify themselves and I also believe they abuse these torist. I pray for them and I hope they are returned home ASAP. I will help in anyway that I can. This could be my child or family member. Nevertheless, Ms.Antiguan Luvly, that bull crap that you said was just that(bull). If you dont know the entire story keep your mouth close. Your name says that you are foreign certainly not of the African descent; so you really cannot speak on what we of this culture go through on a daily basis. Police can be cruel, people can be cruel,it is not always us. Just because the color of our skin says we are different, it does not mean we are all ignorant. What about your culture are they all as narrow minded as yourself?
Reply to this Comment | Report This