Race case for tribunal

JOURNALIST Kejan Haynes has consented to having his complaint of racial hatred against Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) political leader Phillip Edward Alexander go before a tribunal of the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC).

In a letter dated June 18, Haynes agreed to have the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) initiate proceedings on his behalf before the tribunal.

On July 2, 2018 a complaint was lodged with the commission, by Haynes, through attorney Dr Emir Crowne, which alleged that Alexander “had engaged in and done an act that amounts to offensive behaviour towards him via a Facebook post, in the way it has publicly offended, insulted, humiliated or intimidated him with the intention of inciting racial hatred against him.”

In the post in question on June 24, 2018, Alexander described Haynes as a: “half pint house negro, bent over backwards to sell your brothers and sisters for a few pieces of silver and a pat on the head from Sabga.” The post was ended with the phrase: “Down boy. Down. Sit.”

In Alexander’s response to the EOC, published in an EOC report on February 18, 2020, he admitted to writing the post and added that he did so in response to attacks by the PEP. When asked by the EOC to respond to what was meant by the term “half pint house negro,” Alexander said that the term was used in a colloquial manner and at the time of making the comment he was oblivious as to Haynes’ race.

On Friday, Haynes told Newsday that he is looking forward to having his day before the tribunal. He said a date for the hearing would now have to be given. “I wait to see what happens.” He noted it has been two years since the ensuing incident. “The issue is as relevant as ever given talks of race in the country and around the world.”

At present, protests – some violent – have been taking place in the US and other parts of the world (including TT) by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, precipitated by the murder, a month ago, of African American George Floyd by a policeman who placed his knee on Floyd’s neck until he stopped breathing. The BLM movement in TT has seen calls for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue and other monuments in honour of those involved in slavery in  TT’s history and heritage.

Alexander, in a message to Newsday on Friday, said: “The matter has its genesis in an unprovoked attack on me and the members of the PEP by a media lightweight looking for fame.

“We didn’t know who he was then, most don’t know who he is now. His attorneys have a big task ahead of them to twist reality to suit the narrative they are trying to advance. In a world where justice trumps stunts, they cannot succeed.

“Anyone following the deliberate misuse of our courts and complaint machinery to undermine my voice will not be able to avoid drawing the obvious conclusion. As in other recent victories, we will rely on truth to win out in the end.”

Media Association (MATT) president Dr Sheila Rampersad told Newsday the association is following the Haynes/Alexander matter very closely.

The case is not the first time the outspoken political activist has found himself in legal hot water over comments he made on social media.

Last month Alexander was ordered to pay businessman Andrew Gabriel approximately $775,000 in damages for defamation. The order was made by Justice Carol Gobin, who presided over a defamation claim Gabriel filed against Alexander for statements the PEP leader made in February and April 2017, on a radio programme and on his Facebook page.

Last week, businessman Ricky Raghunanan through his attorney Kashif Gibson called on Alexander to immediately remove allegedly defamatory statements he made against Raghunanan in a Facebook live broadcast earlier this month. A second pre-action protocol letter was sent the next day.

It was also reported last week that cancer patient Krissa Bissoon, who received an exemption from the Government to re-enter the country from The Bahamas, was seeking exemplary and aggravated damages, legal costs and an unqualified apology from Alexander for alleged defamatory statements made against her on his Facebook page on May 17.

Last December, ANSA Automotive Ltd – a subsidiary of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies – sued Alexander for defamation for claims he made on his Facebook account on July 30. The offending publication questioned the alleged sale of a luxury Range Rover SUV to a reputed gang leader, who was killed by police.