Thomas sets record straight on intervention with gangs, insisting PM Browne was not present

Alister Thomas is rubbishing recent pronouncements by Prime
Minister Gaston Browne about young people and prior gang
activities in the City West constituency.
 
According to Thomas, while he – Thomas – was attempting to stop
the violence among rival gangs in the area, Browne had no part to
play, despite what he is now suggesting.

In order to address the youth violence, Thomas recalls that he –
along with Khalid Shabazz, Kublai James, Kublai Mannix, and Luther

Lee – organized a session in which they had all the gangs come
together to share their grievances.
 
This session was held at the old Point School (which was recently
destroyed by fire), Thomas says, with about 200 gang members,
representing 25 gangs, in attendance.
 
According to Thomas, then Commissioner of Police Rawlston
Pompey was surprised that the group had been able to get so many
rival gangs into one sitting.

Thomas says the young people, at the time, were concerned about
finding work and becoming independent in honest businesses. And
what they required, he recollects, was help to get started.
 
Thomas insists that Browne was not present during this gathering.
 
However, he continues, the authorities promised to get the young
people land for farming in the Dunbars area. But, Thomas says, the
promise was not kept.

Alister Thomas, UPP caretaker for St John’s City West .