An unfortunate update to this week's tragic story of the three gay Jamaican men who were attacked by an angry, homophobic mob. Activists say the police who "rescued" the three men actually beat them and hurled insults.
The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays (J-Flag) is demanding an investigation into the police response at a Kingston mall where three gay men were holed up inside a pharmacy, while a crowd of 2,000 bloodthirsty homophobes demanded mob justice. Riot police fired tear gas into the crowd and escorted the three men from the premises.
"The police did eventually help the three men and the peacemaker but only after beating him with their guns and fists and calling him a homosexual," said a J-Flag statement on Thursday. "While in the vehicle, all the way to the police station the men were taunted by the police with anti-gay epithets," the group alleged.
To add insult to injury, activists say the three men were "further taunted when they arrived at the Half-Way-Tree Police Station by other cops who warned them never to return to the area." Authorities deny the charges, arguing the officers put themselves at considerable risk to save the men.
Amnesty International and Jamaican activists have documented cases where police officers commit violence against LGBT citizens, or, in many other circumstances, ignore abuse complaints or even homicides.
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I love this site so much!
But I'm hardly surprised. I actually wondered whether the police were in some part more 'active' participants in the violence. Now its confirmed.
Lying bastards. The whole system down there is broken.
"Bloodthirsty homophobes" -- I couldn't have said it better.
Is the world ready to turn its back on that blight on the planet yet?
Posted by: taylor Siluwé | 17 February 2007 at 16:04