The campaign group Curb has declared its shock that riot police were deployed against “non-violent, unarmed individuals” during last Friday’s protest outside the House of Assembly.

“We further deplore the indiscriminate use of pepper spray, the first time in our history against demonstrators, which was a violation of their right to protest and showed both disrespect and contempt towards Bermudians demonstrating,” Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda said in a statement.

“We express our support for all those injured, and wish them a speedy recovery from both their physical and emotional trauma.”

Curb called for:

• postponement of the airport legislation due before the House on Friday;

• a mediated resolution to the current impasse;

• the promise of a full and proper investigation of social conditions in Bermuda;

• a full and independent investigation into the pepper-spraying incident;

• immediate publication of all police protocol and guidelines over the use of riot police, force and/or weapons on unarmed people.

On pepper spray, it said: “BPS protocols refer to pepper spray and other such weapons, as officer safety equipment, and that it is only used when there is an immediate and serious risk to the safety of police or members of the public.

“The officers who used pepper spray were above the crowd, protected inside the walls of the House of Assembly; many of the people sprayed had their backs to them and were trapped between the gates and the oncoming riot squad. People had nowhere to go.”

It listed a number of concerns over pepper spray, including:

• the danger to protesters and bystanders;

• setting a precedence for future abuses;

• escalation of tensions;

• violating people’s constitutional rights to assembly and free speech.

Curb stated: “The photo of the two police officers using pepper spray against non-violent, unarmed individuals, many of whom were women and elderly, is a day that will not be forgotten for it has traumatised our society.”

It stated historically people have broken the law to fight against injustices such as slavery, apartheid and segregation, with Nelson Mandala, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King all being jailed.

“Sadly the use of the riot squad, force, and pepper spray, the threats of Taser use and the carrying of batons, has taken this far beyond the airport project and escalated the tension in our society,” Curb stated.

“From social media it is obvious that many in the community, both black and white, are horrified, pained, dismayed and angered.

“We urge those who decide to continue to protest to do so peacefully. We urge the police to show the restraint they displayed during the protests in March.

“Social justice and the constitutional right to protest go hand in hand. It is likely people will protest again at the House of Assembly on Friday. Many who choose to protest will now do so for other reasons than the airport project, and will be demonstrating against the use of force against non-violent, unarmed protesters.

“There is a difference between law and justice; law being the body of rules that govern society, while justice is a standard of morality that determines what is right and what is wrong.

“Those who protest are looking for justice, they believe they have a moral responsibility to protest because their viewpoints have not been listened to or taken into consideration and they believe they are being marginalised.

“We are on the brink and we must be willing to listen to each other. The focus must now be on a resolution to the increasing tensions. There can be a resolution but it takes people stepping back from their current stances, listening to each other, and finding a middle ground. Steps must be taken by those in power to respond to the voices of the protesters.”

• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on what we consider to be a controversial or contentious story. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.