It is absolutely amazing that the Member of Parliament for Western Kingston Desmond McKenzie can be accusing Velma Hylton -- former counsel to the 2002 commission of inquiry into events at Tivoli Gardens in 2002 that led to the death of some 27 persons -- of only bias.
This arose from Hylton saying, in 2002, "In my respectful submission, if the women and children deliberately put themselves between the law and order forces... to enable those gunmen behind them to fire at the security forces and to fire at civilians, I for one, do not understand why, in all circumstances, they cannot return the fire."
Now that Hylton has been appointed one of the commissioners to look into events in 2010, in that same area, though this time the death toll is significantly higher, there is no doubt in my mind that Hylton is far too cold to be considered for this commission.
In this situatioin the public defender has questioned how some of the people died. It was reported that some of the dead included kids ranging from ages 6 to 12. Do kids of that age fully understand the implications of life and death? And, even if they do, did they have a say in whether they were to become human shields or not? As to the women, has Hylton ever heard of excessive force? Quite frankly, I think Hylton's comments would have made the blood of the British in 1865 run cold. For, as history tells us, they did not take kindly to Governor Eyre's excessive force in the Morant Bay Rebellion, especially after a soldier admitted, "we slaughtered all before us... man or woman or child".
On the other hand, George Zimmerman was recently invited to a gun show to sign autographs. Maybe Hylton will be similarly celebrated one day.
Joan E Williams
Kingston 10
gratestj@gmail.com
Hylton too cold for Commission
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This arose from Hylton saying, in 2002, "In my respectful submission, if the women and children deliberately put themselves between the law and order forces... to enable those gunmen behind them to fire at the security forces and to fire at civilians, I for one, do not understand why, in all circumstances, they cannot return the fire."
Now that Hylton has been appointed one of the commissioners to look into events in 2010, in that same area, though this time the death toll is significantly higher, there is no doubt in my mind that Hylton is far too cold to be considered for this commission.
In this situatioin the public defender has questioned how some of the people died. It was reported that some of the dead included kids ranging from ages 6 to 12. Do kids of that age fully understand the implications of life and death? And, even if they do, did they have a say in whether they were to become human shields or not? As to the women, has Hylton ever heard of excessive force? Quite frankly, I think Hylton's comments would have made the blood of the British in 1865 run cold. For, as history tells us, they did not take kindly to Governor Eyre's excessive force in the Morant Bay Rebellion, especially after a soldier admitted, "we slaughtered all before us... man or woman or child".
On the other hand, George Zimmerman was recently invited to a gun show to sign autographs. Maybe Hylton will be similarly celebrated one day.
Joan E Williams
Kingston 10
gratestj@gmail.com
Hylton too cold for Commission
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