JAMAICA Observer online readers have taken member of Parliament Raymond Pryce to task over his declaration that the arrest and eventual death of Mario Dean over a ‘ganja spliff’ was hurting Jamaica’s image. The readers contend that Jamaica has long been hurting from its style of politics and levels of poverty. Here are some edited comments:

don dixon

The police getting their last licks in before the weed becomes legal, but they overdid it on this one and this could be the last one.

Ainsworth Cole

Unuh tek too long to do what is to be done where ganja laws are concerned. The politicians long out the ting. I can say here and now that it was a white European young lady that first come to me accusing me and Jamaica of ‘longing out tings too much’. I remember years ago when she told me that, and I agree with her. The death of this young man is on the head of the Jamaican state, that is ultimately responsible for his untimely and tragic demise.

adam godson

Jamaica’s image has been suffering for longer than [this]and for more than this tragic incident.

Pat Lui

False. It’s unsavoury politics and poverty that trouble our image.

err gag

Let me be the first to proclaim “Deane’s Law”.

guest

How does the situation stand with all the police personnel who were on duty at the time and therefore are collectively responsible for this atrocity? I should hope they have all been suspended without pay, and make sure passports are cancelled, and DNA profile taken and sent to interpol just in case they have ideas of running away from justice.

Sondon

Mr Pryce, we need change of laws as it relates to the protection of prisoners in custody. Let’s face it, even if the charge was equal or lesser, the mere fact that a police could get even by exposing said detainee to danger because of a detainee’s utterance is frightening!

Roger Gordon

Jamaica has an image? If so I would like to know that secret, because the only images I see are murder and mayhem coupled with a cycle of perpetual poverty; in which more than a third of the population lives in garrisons, crime-infested communities, and on capture land, where they steal light and water. All that is happening, while the self-professed poor-loving PM and the MPs drive around in air-conditioned high-end cars, paid for by borrowed or begged money.

mwhip

…You are lucky, Mr Pryce, if it is only Jamaica’s image you are concerned about. But what about the rights of the people who are abused and killed whilst in State custody and at the hands of agents of the State? A dat you fi address and tell the Jamaican people that enough is enough and you will not stand with folded arms and let this happen anymore!

JahB

RIP my yout’, you have not died in vain. Stop the arrest and persecution of people possessing a smoke or two NOW!! There are much bigger fish in the underworld sea that should be prosecuted.

countrybumpkin

It is not for the spliff that he was killed. This is a measure and manifestation of the levels of brutality and maladjustments of our society.

blackconservative

Stop chatting… immediate action needed!

Tone Bag

My sincere condolence go to the bereaved. Mr Pryce, while it’s your right to speak out and you are quite cogent in doing so… I believe you are trampling upon the late Mr Deane’s loved ones’ grief. Nowhere has it been mentioned that you offer your condolence. While I agree that there are human rights and criminal justice issues, protocol of arrest and the ganja debate, please don’t use this tragedy to propagandise your cause nor use your emails to gauge the level of disquiet this man’s tragic death echoes worldwide.

Dee

The police are afraid to pursue the real culprits in this country. Therefore, to not feel any guilt about collecting their pay cheque come the end of the month, they throw behind bars people like Mario in an effort to say that they are doing their job. Another unnecessary setback in the already fragile police/citizens relationship. Someone has to be held accountable. Tings cyaa go on soh!

British Deportee

…You are a good-intentioned man, Mr Pryce. Such a shame that the power brokers & status quo defenders have tied your hands & shackled your feet. Peace!

John Ras

I just returned from the 30th annual Reggae On The River reggae festival in Northern California where tens of thousands of people smoke “spliffs” freely and openly without harassment or intimidation. No police, no sheriff, no no arrest, no death! Can anybody tell me why I return to read that my brother is dead for doing the same thing?

dysan21

As expected, shameless political opportunism, using this man’s tragic murder to capitalise on popular support for the legalisation of ganja.

… Jamaican people need to wise up and beware of politicians bearing gifts, later on they will seek to legalise what they REALLY wanted to legalise in the first place, and when they come to the table with this indecent proposal you will feel obligated to support them or at least to keep your mouth shut.