YUMA beating victim visits Canada embassy

YUMA beating victim visits Canada embassy

Jensen La Vende
Published: Guardian
Thursday, February 11, 2016
One of the victims of alleged abuse at the hands of Yuma security guards said yesterday she would not rest until she received justice for what happened to them on Carnival Monday.

In a brief telephone interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Nzunaki Tuitt, a Canadian national, said she went to the Canadian Embassy yesterday as she had promised to but was told she had to return with a copy of her police statement for the matter to be taken any further.

She added that two other women who were assaulted by the security guards were scheduled to leave the country soon but she would stay to fight the matter to the end. Tuitt said the two other women were making the most of their stay in the country but also would do all they could to ensure that they received justice. 

Tuitt, along with People’s National Movement (PNM) councillor Jason Alexander and Jenice Parker, along with another woman were  assaulted at Taylor Street, Woodbrook, on Monday afternoon by security guards working in the Carnival band after it was pointed out that Alexander belonged to another Carnival band.

A masquerader began recording the assault after he saw Parker being punched in the face by a security officer. It was this punch that forced Alexander, who had left the band having been put out by the guards, to return to defend his friend. However, he was severely beaten by the guards when he returned.

Alexander suffered cuts and bruises about his body from the attack while Tuitt also suffered some minor injuries.

The 49-second video was subsequently posted on social media and went viral, prompting YUMA management to issue a release apologising for the action of the guards. It also sparked a call from Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge for legislation to deal with the issue of band security.

Tuitt, who said she had been told the guards were fired after the incident, said she would not be allowing the incident to be swept under the carpet as someone must be held accountable for the injuries she and her friends sustained.

The T&T Guardian understands that the victims have all reported the matter to the Woodbrook Police Station but the incident occurred within the St James Police Station area so they must continue their complaint at that station.