Much of the controversy about yesterday's rough detention of Patrick Faber's centers over whether or not the forum with the Prime Minister was open to the public. Well, according to University President Dr. Corinth Morter Lewis it was not open to the public, even though it had been advertised as a public forum. In an interview with 7NEWS today, Lewis told us it was only meant for university students to participate in but they had no intention to shut out the public.
Dr. Corinth Morter Lewis, UB President
"From my perspective, in terms of somebody coming and saying I am coming to the forum because it was advertised as public and I wasn't aware that it was not public, I would like to feel that I could tell them well look there may have been a mistake in what we did it in terms of publicizing it but you're welcome to be here. But I would have had the caveat to them that could you please make sure that you are here as a spectator only, that you will listen, that you will respect the fact that its for the students and allow it to be a student forum at the end of the day."
Jules Vasquez,
Did you all request a police presence to screen only people with UB IDs to enter the compound?
Dr. Corinth Morter Lewis,
"I am not aware of any such request having been made. At no point at that time was there any concern expressed or any communication about the need for extra security or about the need for police or the need for any of those things for the afternoon session."
Jules Vasquez,
This is an autonomous institution you all have your own security. What is your reaction when you hear the police yesterday took over security without permission and with request of this autonomous institution and presume to begin to screen those who enter?
Dr. Corinth Morter Lewis,
"It is of concern from the perspective that, as I said, there have been some miscommunication about the forum in the first case being public and if it was perceived as public, there are people coming who are non-UB people as such. To deny them entry, after such a bulletin has gone out, does produce a bit of concern for me because we would like this institution to be seen as available and open to the community at large. My reaction to that is that it's disturbing. I didn't like to see of our citizens treated that way. Mr. Faber, Hon. Faber as a member of the Legislative Assembly, I think deserves respect."
Backing up Lewis's declaration that the event was not a public forum, President of the Belmopan student government, Ivor Nicholas today issued a release stating that the word public was not meant to include the general community but was targeting the university community.
