Violence mars carnival celebrations - Cop and reveller injured in anti-gay incident


The shattered window of a police bus that was stoned after men, believed to be gay, were placed inside when angry spectators attacked them during the Jamaica Carnival road parade yesterday. - Norman Grindley

Though incident-free for the most part, there were at least two major events that marred yesterday's staging of Jamaica Carnival 2008.

Men, believed to be gay, earned the wrath of spectators who attacked them damaging a bus and injuring a police officer.

Superintendent Lenval Hutton, who was on the scene, said the parade was moving along Waterloo Road when, upon reaching the intersection with West Kings House Road, some men joined the parade.

The men were allegedly gyrating and wining on each other and this angered spectators who started to stone them. Police, in an attempt to prevent any further incident, placed four of the men into a police bus which was working at the festivities. However, this did not stop the spectators from continuing to attack the men. Someone threw a stone through the window of the bus, shattering one of the windows and cutting the hand of a corporal who was also in the bus.

One of the men who were attacked was slashed across the forehead. The police did not hold anyone in connection with the incident as the perpetrator ran off. But the Superintendent said a report was made at the Half-Way Tree Police Station and the matter is being investigated.

The men were taken to the police station where they were released.

Later, during the final hurrah at the National Stadium, three young ladies had to be lifted from the crowd after they were doused with pepper spray by unruly members of the crowd.

The women, including one who was said to be asthmatic, were attended to by medical personnel on the scene.

While the performances were under way, a mini-stampede sent some members of the audience scurrying for safety. According to the police, however, this was not a serious matter, merely a "false alarm".

Up to press time, the National Stadium police had received no reports of any major incidents. Similarly, the Constabulary Communication Network said said they had received no reports of serious incidents or injuries.