June 4 trial for social activists who protested outside Jamaica House

The trial of social activists Lloyd D'Aguilar and Euline Nugent, who are charged with breaching the Public Order Act, is to commence in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on June 4.

They were seen demonstrating in front of Jamaica House on October 12 last year and were given a lawful order by the police to remove from the area.

It is alleged that they disobeyed the order and were subsequently arrested and charged.

Jamaica House, located in St Andrew, houses government offices including the Office of the Prime Minister.

The activists, who are on bail and are representing themselves, first appeared in court in November last year.

When they appeared in court last week, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell pointed out that the fine for the section under which they were charged was only $50 and queried whether there was any amendment to the Act.

Section 22 of the Act states that “any person required under subsection (1) to call upon any meeting or march to disperse, who refuses, fails or neglects forthwith to call upon such meeting or march to disperse shall be guilty of an offence against this section and upon summary conviction before a Resident Magistrate (now Parish Court Judge) shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.”

D'Aguilar is chairman of the People's Anti-Corruption Movement. 

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