00:00On Wednesday, a planned protest along Richmond Street ended with members of the riot squad
00:05dispersing demonstrators after police said protesters failed to comply with lawful instructions.
00:11Three people were arrested during the incident,
00:14activist and protest organizer Alyssa Phillip, her mother Camille Caresquero, and blogger Jason DeSilva.
00:21Speaking during a media briefing at the police administration building in Port of Spain today,
00:26Benjamin said no charges have yet been laid against the three individuals.
00:31Let me just say that, personally, we are still engaging with the DCP operations as well as the legal team
00:44in dealing with this matter.
00:46Again, we recognize this is a very sensitive one, and so far no charges have been laid as yet.
00:52But nevertheless, we are ensuring that we deal with it.
00:56This situation in a very sensitive way so that we can ensure that, you know, whatever is done is done
01:02fairly and with above board.
01:04Benjamin noted that yesterday, officers engaged organizers before the protests began
01:09and outlined the conditions under which the demonstration was expected to take place.
01:14Even prior to the situation, officers met with persons in relation to the protests.
01:24Again, the police ensured that we were there early enough,
01:27and we spoke to those who were in charge, letting them know what is required.
01:34He said the demonstration was intended to be a silent protest,
01:37and officers instructed participants that there should be no chanting or loudspeaker use.
01:43This is an asylum protest.
01:45This is one where we believe that when we say that, we are saying that at least there should be
01:51no chanting.
01:54When we say these things, it's not that you should not speak necessarily,
01:57but we are saying that, hello, there should be no chanting, no loudspeaking.
02:02There should be no audible, you know, communication in terms of loudspeakers, etc.
02:07Benjamin reiterated police issued warnings before and even after officers observed breaches of those conditions.
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