Freedom Fighters found guilty of participation in, but not organizing, Teargas Sunday meeting

Magistrate Conliffe Clarke handed down his decision in the matter
known as the Freedom Fighters case in the St. John’s Magistrate
Court on Thursday morning, December 14.

Clarke found the two defendants – Donette Simon and Shennel
Williams – guilty on the charge of participating in a prohibited
meeting. 

They were each fined $1,500 and given until March 31, 2024, to pay.
In default, they will spend four months in His Majesty’s Prison.
Meanwhile, the magistrate found the duo not guilty of organizing a
prohibited meeting.

The defendants were represented by attorney Leon Chaku Symister
The case arose out of a protest against the Browne Administration’s
mandatory vaccine policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group, known as the Antigua & Barbuda Freedom Fighters, had
sought permission from the commissioner of police for a march, but
had been denied. 

However, on August 8, 2021, hundreds of peaceful protesters
showed up at the V.C. Bird Bust and were set upon by the Police,
with teargas and rubber bullets.

On August 10, 2021, Simon and Williams, who had signed the letter
seeking the march, were arrested, following the execution of
warrants at their homes in the early hours of the morning.
Subsequently, some six charges were leveled against the pair.

After a trial that was drawn out for more than two years, on
November 21,2023, Magistrate Clarke found that Williams – who
had been charged with two counts of incitement, among others –
had no case to answer and, so, dismissed those charges.