Attorney – at – Law James Bond has condemned what he believes is the existence of racial profiling, racism and vigilante justice in Guyana.
Bond, who spoke to this outfit on Wednesday, was at the time weighing in on the recent beating of two black males in a predominantly East Indian populated community.
Vernon Beckles and Damion Gordon were last weekend beaten by residents of Canal Number 1 Polder after a man accused them of stealing the rearview mirrors on his car.
Bond, a former Parliamentarian, said he was speaking on the matter as both an Attorney and a member of civil society.
He said the continued existence of these types of incidents are doing considerable harm to the social fabric of the Guyanese society and has absolutely no place in these enlightened times.
“I met with the guys yesterday at my office… I was hurt and crushed when the details were related to me,” Bond said.
The men have both denied their involvement in any criminal activity and insist that they were attending a ‘Phagwah wash-down’ event in the community with friends.
Damion Gordon, Accounts Clerk
Bond has reached out to the police force and said the commitment was given that the matter will be investigated thoroughly and professionally.
Several members of the Community Policing Group are also accused of handcuffing the men while allowing the residents to continue beating them.
Bond said apart from the police action he intends to file private criminal charges or a civil suit against the perpetrators of the violent act.
“Guyana can ill afford these incidents and I urge citizens, do not take the law into your own hands,” he said.
Bond also went onto to add “I must advise people also that not all Black people are thieves and not all Indians are corrupt, we must get away from these stereotypes.”
Bond is urging Guyanese to live in racial harmony and refuse to listen to leaders who to try to put one race in a bad light or pit one against the other.
It is the belief of many persons that the incident is an example of racism and racial profiling.