The UTECH Student abuse ...............

Certainly as more developments happen this post will be updated so recheck.

Physical violence is always close to verbal abuse as has been proven ever so often and here in Jamaica when the repeated messages of "bun out battyman" or remove all gays and the other nine yards have been the norm for several decades incidents like this are not surprising to me anymore hence my analysis goes further than the typical of calling for the guards to be removed and other sanctions for the students to be reached by some outreach activities all commendable. Imagine my surprise when I got a string of phone calls on the matter as it unfolded while I sat in a men's health workshop.

However the University of Technology formerly the College of Arts Science and Technology, CAST is not new to lavatory sex as is strongly alleged in this instance or wooded area shenanigans with either heterosexual or homosexual couples or persons as in groups, hookups and gay cruising for that matter is a feature on nearly every campus even the most religious of them in the world. It is definitely not the first time incidents of persons caught in a compromising position has happened at UTECH or for that matter the more elite University of the West Indies, UWI, in 2006 cops had to rescue a man just from simple profiling him as gay, then there was the student who had to leave due to a video clip that was circulated of him in a compromising position. The leadership of these institutions need to address these matters or at best some sort of psycho sexual outreach with the populations.

also see: Keeping Men Safe at UWI and Barbarous bloodlust at UWI  which read in part:

AS REPUGNANT as aggressive and unwelcomed sexual approaches might be, whether homosexual or heterosexual, the response of the students at the University of the West Indies to an alleged homosexual proposition was barbarous. We are at a loss to understand how university students, the beneficiaries of a tertiary education and the future leaders of the nation, could spontaneously partake in such an unthinking and savage response to the situation without any due process or proof of the allegations.

What happened was not a reasoned protest against what they consider deviant homosexual behaviour, but rather so violent an overreaction that the police in riot gear had difficulty controlling the mob. Shots had to be fired in the air while some students reportedly hurled missiles at the police. It seems clear that if there had not been strong and timely intervention by the police, the alleged homosexual would probably have been beaten to death.

Many in the society will no doubt see this as appropriate righteous indignation, failing to see that this is but another example of barbarous stupidity.

This brings to mind an even more ugly incident at the University of Technology a few years ago, when an alleged car thief was chased by a mob of students and forced to take refuge in a storm drain. The students lit a grass fire in a circle around the drain, and even when the man raised his hands in surrender, they continued to stone him until he drowned in the fetid water. What is common to both outbursts of violence is the total lack of awareness that vigilante killings are morally wrong and no different from the lynching of black persons in the American South during the height of segregation.

Regardless of one's personal judgement about the morality of homosexual behaviour, the principle of human rights remains a paramount consideration in any nation which calls itself civilised. That there should have been such a student outburst of bloodlust is abhorrent. The university authorities need to establish protocols on human rights and take steps to ensure that the student population knows what is and is not acceptable behaviour on campus. The frenzied mob behaviour displayed at the UWI was an appalling descent into anarchy.

Northern Caribbean University a Seventh Day Adventist institution has seen its share of attacks as well towards alleged gay students as occurred in 2001 as was carried on my sister blog on GLBTQ Jamaica on Wordpress: 

Jamaican Students Beaten at Northern Caribbean University

Also even one of the heads of the university there Dr Herbert Thompson in 2011 was himself victim of his person and reputation attacked by vicious rumours of his own sexuality or suspected homosexuality. He managed to overcome the issue in time however. Several other smaller skirmishes have occurred with students being profiled and verbally abused.

Now with this case shows up outdoor sex and the consequences that can follow, rent a room I say, yes the guards are wrong especially the one who landed the blows on camera and the students who cheered but also if one can avoid a thing then do so. We all know the consequences that can come if and when caught although there have been successful hookups in bath stalls and around wooded areas if truth be told. the guards who were implicated in this awful affair have been removed from frontline duty according to reports. 

Also what needs to be properly cleared up is whether it was an abandoned bathroom or not that the men were seen carrying on as it were and if they were engaged in oral sex and not penetrative anal sex as is alleged.

Here is the video sequence I put together for this post as gleamed from other sources.

Does anyone notice the jubilee from the commenting students? as if he is weak and cannot defend himself (given the reality of a large crowd against one) but the mob dominance rules in the given moment. While some female students commenting suggested he not be let out in fear of his life (at 2:13 onwards in the video) a male voice clearly was up in arms and throw a projectile that broke the glass window of the holding area, showing the mixed reactions to this latest episode of homo-negativity and homophobic abuse.

UTECH officials are said to be in damage control in subsequent newscasts and Jamaicans for Justice is said to be disturbed by the incident. Mrs Suzanne Goffe has said the incident is "disturbing to us at JFJ,"she continued "we see another example of how violence can solve situation, the leadership at the UTECH should deal with this that it is unacceptable."

Other such cases of persons caught in compromising positions in public go unnoticed by those calling for justice here, such as some three weeks ago two alleged handcart men were caught allegedly involved in partnered masturbation in a wooded area in Kingston the men that time around made good their escape but to the annoyance of the crowd that descended to exact their brand of justice. Other cruising community issues as well abound. 

A petition has been launched by some persons:

go HERE to sign 

Let us see how this one plays out knowing how poorly the crisis communication has been handled in previous cases such as this where what little credibility has been eroded in the struggle, the real pointers are often overlooked and just the call for justice is stressed while important as they are.

The Star News also carried the story:

UTECH STUDENT BEATEN - Angry mob accuses him of being gay

Yvonne McCalla Sobers of Families Against State Terrorism issued this on November 2, 2012:

"I had a quick response from UTECH about what the video showed of the beating of the young man by security guards in the presence of a mob. Here is my understanding of what I was told:

1. UTECH authorities will issue a statement on the matter today.

2. The security guards involved were removed from duty immediately and the company is instigating disciplinary action against them.

3. Other security guards had put their lives on the line to protect the young man from a mob of 300 students.

4. The security guards beat the young man because they believed him to be a car thief (no attempt it made to justify this) but not because of his sexual orientation. The removal from duty would have taken place no matter the nature of the unprofessional behaviour.

5. The UTECH security services are committed to not presiding "over any environment where the laws of the land and common decency are ignored . The job and mandate here is to provide protection for ALL regardless of colour creed or orientation and we will continue to do it to the best of our ability."

UTECH has the chance to set an example of tolerance with no room for those who breach the rights of anyone, and with fairness to all concerned. We need to keep a close watch on this."

UPDATES

The guards have since been arrested and to face an ID parade with followup action, also other students maybe arrested, listen here:

Here is another clip I pulled on the loaded discourse nationally on talkshows, I recorded this from NewstalkFM's Jerry Small show who has been surprisingly very balanced with his show on the issue as he engaged callers


Earl Moxam of RJR also discussed the issue recently:

Reactions to the beating continued ........

In a previous audio post/podcast I had done I had hinted that the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship did not respond to the UTECH abuse matter I checked their website and found a short press release they placed there but one wonders if it is genuine given their recent posturings on homosexuality and maintaining the buggery law and if this so called concern and condemnation is just to appease the irritated gay lobby/community?

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

also more anti gay responses on radio in recent times as the matter is still alive in the public domain

More related readings

Freedom And Restraint

Sex In A Bathroom

UTech: Let's Pray?

UTech to punish students involved in chase of 'gay' colleagues

The case came for mention on November 22 2012 at the Half Way Tree RM court but the complainant was absent so it has been put off until Feb 13th 2013 while a subpoena has been issued for the complainant to appear on the next mention date, I can appreciate his unwillingness to come forward given the very public nature of this case and the fact that an "in camera" session seems not on the cards as would happen in a rape case or where an under-aged person was the victim.

also
The following statement on the incident came from a network of business organizations representing more than 300,000 Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of which the university's vice president is president, and lists her university affiliation

PRESS RELEASE
TIMELINE: November 5, 2012

The MSME Alliance Condemns Mob Violence Against UTech Student

The MSME Alliance is deeply disturbed about the growing trend of mob violence in Jamaica as an acceptable response to behaviours and events that meet the disapproval individuals and groups. The most recent incident on the Papine Campus of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) is particularly disturbing as it involves hundreds of young Jamaicans pursuing tertiary education who are likely to be future leaders of our country.

We strongly condemn all acts of mob violence against individuals, including individuals who are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. We also strongly denounce the violent actions of the security guards employed to protect UTech students.

We urge all Jamaicans, especially those in business community, to loudly condemn these acts of violence and hatred in an effort to curtail this very disturbing trend. According to Prof. Rosalea Hamilton, President, The MSME Alliance, and Vice President, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) “These acts of violence, bigotry and hate are unacceptable and should be rooted out of our society as a matter of urgency.”

also

November 5, 2012, STATEMENT FROM UTASU
The University of Technology Academic Staff Union (UTASU) is appalled by the violent behaviour exhibited by security guards and some students on the Papine campus on November 1, 2012, when individuals alleged to be homosexuals were caught in a purported compromising situation.

The incident which occurred on November 1, 2012 where a student was assaulted by a member of a University service provider, is unacceptable and inexcusable. UTASU supports the University's move to immediately investigate the matter. We also urge the University to put in place measures to mitigate against these kinds of violent acts.

We are deeply saddened as this recent incident, as it represents a retrograde step in our journey towards working and operating in a diverse society, for which we are preparing our students. Such acts of violence are not in keeping with the standards or expected disposition of our past or current students.

Whilst we will not condone public displays of sexual conducts amongst
homosexuals, heterosexuals or even bisexuals, we will not accept any form of violent behaviour on our campuses. We expect and demand respect for all.

Olubusola Akinladejo
President
University of Technology, Jamaica Academic Staff Union
237 Old Hope Road
Kingston 6
Tel: 977-3819
Email : utasu02@yahoo.com

a recent questionable protest in NY some 20 days after the fact even though the case is in court and the complainant is reportedly getting counselling ......

What was the purpose of this protest if not to get in some other points? ........ aaahhhh yes the buggery review 

Peace and tolerance

H