Another six people, including two union chiefs, were charged yesterday morning with offences relating to the December 2 protests.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert, Bermuda Public Services Union leader Jason Hayward, Reverend Nicholas Tweed from the People’s Campaign, Neville Goddard, BIU vice-president Glen Simmons and Lilymay Bulford all denied charges of blocking access to the House of Assembly and obstructing police.

Obstructing police can carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison, while blocking access to the House of Assembly carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $1,680 fine.

While five of the defendants refused to consent to have the matter heard in Magistrates’ Court, Mr Hayward, represented by lawyer Charles Richardson, did consent to have his matter heard in the lower court.

Mr Hayward is expected to return to court on May 3 so that the Crown can provide disclosure, while the other defendants will appear before the Supreme Court during the May arraignments session.

All six were released on $1,000 bail.

Mr Furbert emerged from the court with his fist raised to loud applause from the crowd which had numbered more than 200 before the charges were read in court.

Earlier, the court gallery was almost full with Opposition leader David Burt, PLP MPs Wayne Furbert, Derrick Burgess and Michael Scott, along with former premier Dame Jennifer Smith among those in attendance.

With a large police contingent outside the court, demonstrators appeared calm with some carrying placards — “They will not be silenced”, “OBA one big act”, “Peer review committee no comment”, “(Police) Commissioner DeSilva, who will protect the people from the police”, and “Unions are the protectors of workers” were among their messages.

A small group marched behind Bermuda Public Service Union banners, reading “Why is our president being attacked” and “This is an attack on union leadership”.

Shortly before 11am the crowd dispersed with the majority of protesters walking back to the BIU headquarters.

Police then reopened the section of road where the demonstrators were standing. On Wednesday, three people appeared in court regarding the same December 2 protests.

Arnold Smith, 57, from Southampton, David Saltus, 57, from Sandys, and Alafia Henry, 41, from Devonshire, pleaded not guilty to charges of preventing entry to the House of Assembly. All elected to be tried in Supreme Court and will appear in court again on May 1.

Mr Saltus was been charged with assaulting a police officer. He was released on $2,000 bail, and Mr Smith and Mr Henry were released on $1,000 bail.

Mr Saltus is represented by Mr Scott and both Mr Smith and Mr Henry are represented by Delroy Duncan.

Next Monday and Wednesday, others who received summonses following the same protest, will be formally charged.

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