The government has tried to silence one of its fiercest critics by threatening his freedom.
Popular comedian Wellington Roberts, who has used his platform to criticize government policies, was today charged with inciting a riot — an offense for which a magistrate can’t grant bail.
Roberts, a member of the Enough is Enough Movement, was one of the organizers of a protest by Atlantis workers against a suspension of labour laws in favour of big business.
Thousands of workers at the resort haven’t worked for months since the hotel shut its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By using his emergency powers, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has made it impossible for workers to get severance pay.
Roberts, 36, of Churchill Avenue, who has a large social media following, was arrested on Wednesday during the protest at Parliament Street.
Roberts denied charges of disorderly behavior and inciting a riot at his arraignment before Magistrate Samuel McKinney today and was denied bail.
His lawyers have made an emergency bail application to ensure that Roberts isn’t sent to prison for exercising his constitutional rights.
He has already spent one night in police custody.