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being prevented from leaving Tivoli Gardens and have had their cellular phones
confiscated by criminals”. The JCF confirmed that an APC was “shot up this
morning while travelling in the Denham Town area…”. An assurance was given
to the public that the JCF intended to conduct its operations “in a professional
manner in accordance with the law and in the interest of all concerned”.
7.17.
The JCF repeated its calls for restraint and respect for the law on
20 May. A Press Release on that day appealed to residents of Tivoli Gardens to
refrain “from obstructing access to their communities by the security forces”.
Residents were reminded that creation of barricades was illegal and urged to
remove the barricades “currently established” in Denham Town and Tivoli
Gardens. In bold print were these words, “the security forces have no desire to
engage in any armed conflict”.
7.18.
On 20 May, a Release was published informing the public that
“criminal elements in Tivoli Gardens are in possession of the .50 calibre Grizzly
Big Boar rifles” and “criminals in Tivoli Gardens have stockpiled petrol”.
7.19.
An appeal to dismantle barricades was made on 21 May since they
“impeded the movement of the security forces during the lawful performance of
their duties”. Importantly, the Release of 21 May appealed “to the lawyers
retained by Christopher Coke to take their client to the nearest police station in
order for the extradition warrant to be executed”.
7.20.
On Saturday, 22 May, a Release stated that criminals from Tivoli
Gardens and Denham Town, on that very day, “blocked Industrial Terrace and
sections of Spanish Town Road despite repeated public appeals not to block
roads and remove barricades constructed in the two communities”. Significantly,
the Release stated that the police viewed “this action by the criminals as a direct
act of provocation and a clear indication that they are not interested in the rule
of law”. The Release noted that the JCF had cleared the blocked areas.