Shuman initially prevented from attending High Court in Indigenous attire
Dressed in traditional Indigenous attire, Presidential Candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party Lenox Shuman yesterday entered the High Court to listen to proceedings on the suit filed by the PPP, which seeks to have the verification process for the Region Four vote completed.
Shuman arrived after the court proceedings had started and was stopped by ranks at the entrance of the court. He spent about 30 minutes waiting before he was allowed to venture upstairs.
When he spoke to Stabroek News at the entrance to the court, the former chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) said the police there informed him that he was inappropriately dressed.
However, he was allowed to proceed upstairs but at this point, he was told by senior police officers that he would not be allowed into the court. Shuman stood outside for approximately another 15 minutes.
After interacting with several police officers, the former toshao was told that he could access the courtroom, where arguments were being made before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.
Stabroek News understands that the Chief Justice granted permission for Shuman to enter the court.
Speaking to reporters while standing on the corridor, Shuman said he believes that he was being discriminated against and his rights were being violated because of his choice of clothing.
“I have a right as every other ethnicity in this country to enter into the court traditionally attired. People don’t stop others when they walk in here with a dhoti, they don’t stop you when you walk in with a traditional African wear or Chinese attire. Yet here we have an Indigenous person dressed traditionally and I am being stopped. My constitutional rights are being violated,” Shuman contended.
He argued too that he is the only Indigenous person who has a stake in the matter that was being heard but the police ignored that fact and focused on how he had dressed.
“I am the only Indigenous leader of a political party, the Indigenous people continue to be marginalised, thrown in trenches and yet no political leaders speak on our behalf. As elected leaders, some of them are threatened. Why we should not have a stake or have a say in that? Why should we not be party to that?” Shuman questioned as he sought to make his point.
Shuman wore a headdress, a necklace, and a red loincloth around his waist. He also carried a staff.
Shuman has worn Indigenous attire on other occasions. On several occasions when he was part of the NTC and interacted with President David Granger, he wore his traditional clothing.