Police fire tear gas, pellets to break up Hopetown protests

The Police on Monday night confirmed they had fired tear gas and pellets at protestors to clear the road at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice as more communities protest the brutal murder of Berbice teen boys Isaiah and Joel Henry.

The APNU+AFC Coalition on Monday night said it has received reports and has seen photographs and video evidence which confirm that members of the Guyana Police Force this evening shot at civilians in the village of Hopetown on the West Coast of Berbice.

After several hours of the roadway being blocked, Police headquarters said the Police had no alternative but to take all necessary action to ensure that the road is clear, the Police’s Public Relations Officer stated.

He confirmed that “tear smoke was used and rubber pellets were fired.”

The Coalition said its activist Carol Joseph was shot multiple times and shared photos but the News Room could not independently verify this.

The APNU+AFC called for an immediate ceasefire and for the police to desist from injuring and maiming innocent citizens.

It further said: “The people of Hopetown, No. 3 Village and all the people of Guyana have a right to be outraged by the dastardly slaughter of Isaiah and Joel Henry at Cotton Tree and Orlando Jonas at Albion, Berbice.”

The Coalition said blocking roadways in the face of such abominable atrocities is understandable as a demonstration of civil disobedience and outrage of the people.

The Police said protests also erupted at Bath, West Coast Berbice and efforts are underway to clear the road.