[UPDATED] Activist still seeking CoP's nod for motorcade, threatens court action

POLICE Commissioner Gary Griffith has denied social activist David Welch permission for a motorcade on Friday to protest against the Government.

On Thursday, Welch’s attorneys wrote to the commissioner again asking him to reconsider.

Permission was denied again in a one-line response to Welch.

On Wednesday, Welch, who is often seen protesting outside Parliament, was charged with using insulting language, resisting arrest and failing to wear a mask in public.

He received $20,000 station bail on Thursday.

Welch was arrested on Tuesday outside Parliament as he was allegedly going to deliver a letter to the commissioner for permission for Friday’s event. He was stopped by police from the Port of Spain Task Force who were on patrol on Abercromby Street.

Welch was directed to wear his mask, but he allegedly told the officer, "I not in no crowd, I by myself, I don't have to wear a facemask."

He then allegedly insulted the officer, telling him, "All yuh is a set a idiots."

The officer cautioned Welch, who allegedly used an obscene comment before he was arrested. Police claim Welch also tried to run away while being arrested.

He was taken to the Central Police Station, where he was charged and issued a face mask ticket.

Welch, who is a co-founder of the media company Trio.tt, was one of several people involved in organising Friday’s motorcade.

The protest was expected to begin in Debe and end at the Red House in Port of Spain on Friday.

On Tuesday, Griffith issued a media release saying no permission had been given for the motorcade and reminded the organisers that public gatherings of more than five people were prohibited and would be dispersed by the police.

In her letter on Thursday, attorney Rhea Khan, along with attorneys Dinesh Rambally, Stefan Ramkissoon and Kiel Taklalsingh of Sovereign Chambers, said the refusal to grant permission was “unlawful, ultra vires,” and unfairly restricted Welch’s constitutional rights, since the decision was without basis.

She acknowledged that Welch was required to seek permission 48 hours before the event, but said the state of emergency regulations did not specifically prohibit protests in the form of a motorcade.

Khan said the intended motorcade would not have encouraged physical congregation, since everyone taking part would remain masked in their cars, and would be completed by 6 pm, so it would not infringe on curfew restrictions.

She wrote, “There is no explicit regulation or rule under the SoE regulations which prevents persons from proceeding along the public roadway in a procession, remaining in their vehicles, as a form of protest.

“There is simply no public health risk or possible cause of harm to the public safety if this protest is allowed to continue.”

Khan gave Griffith until 6 pm on Thursday to reconsider, saying otherwise Welch will approach the courts for a judicial review.

This story was originally published with the title "Activist charged for insulting language, not wearing mask" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A Morvant man is expected to face charges of using insulting language, resisting arrest and failing to wear a mask in public on Thursday.

A police media release on Wednesday reported that David Welch was arrested on Tuesday afternoon when police instructed him to wear his mask.

The report said police from the Port of Spain Task Force were on patrol near the Red House when they saw Welch walking on Abercromby Street.

One of the officers stopped the car and told Welch to wear his face mask, but Welch replied, "I not in no crowd, I by myself, I don't have to wear a facemask."

The officer told him he had to wear his mask once he was in public, but Welch allegedly said, "All yuh is a set a idiots."

The officer cautioned Welch, who allegedly used an obscene comment before he was arrested. Police claim Welch also tried to run away while being arrested.

Welch was taken to the Central Police Station, where he was charged and issued a face mask ticket.

Welch, who is a co-founder of the media company Trio.tt, was one of several people involved in organising a motorcade to protest against the current public health regulations .

The protest was expected to begin in Debe and end at the Red House in Port of Spain on Friday.

But on Tuesday Police Commissioner Gary Griffith issued a media release saying no permission had been given for the motorcade and reminded the organisers that public gatherings of more than five people were prohibited and would be dispersed by the police.