From news reports to blogs and forums, the scuffle between six United States tourists and the Antiguan police has gained the attention of the international media.
The story has, thus far, been picked up by the Associated Press (AP), CBS News, the UK Guardian, Taiwan News, the Miami Herald, the Houston Chronicle, the Austin American-Statesman, El Paso Times, the Hartford Courant, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and a few other agencies.
The story is making its rounds with headlines such as “Taxi Tussle” and “Antigua Scuffle”. This morning, the Boston Herald (online) spoke of a holiday cruise hitting “rough waters” for six American tourists who refused to pay a cab fare they thought was too excessive and later got into a scuffle with the local constabulary.
Yesterday, CruiseMates, which claims to offer the latest cruise information, reported that a fight broke out at an Antiguan police station with two officers allegedly being injured in the process. According to this report, the cruise passengers thought they were being overcharged by the cabdriver and asked to be driven to a police station.
Initial news reports had explained that the six US tourists were charged with assault and malicious damage after they declined to pay the cab fare levied and later engaged in a brawl with police officers.
The six tourists - Shoshonnah and Rachel Henry, Nancy and Dolores Lalanne, Mike Pierre and Joshua Jackson - have since been released on $5,000 bail each. It is anticipated that they will enter pleas during a court appearance Wednesday. They are being represented by attorney Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin.
The group, who were visiting Antigua on a Carnival a cruise ship stopover, refused to pay a local taxi driver because the driver reportedly told them he would have to double the fee, from US$50 to US$100, to take them back from Jolly Harbour to Heritage Quay.
When the visitors did not comply, the taxi then drove to the St John's Police Station where a fight broke out between the visitors and the police, resulting in shared injuries. The incident occurred last Friday and the trial is expected to last until this Friday.
Comments (47)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by American, October 23, 2009
I have visited Antigua many times and I have found the people beautiful and pleasant! Will continue to visit. Move on ........
-
- +0
-
-
written by Living on Antigua, October 01, 2009
July 2008 British honeymoon couple Benjamin and Catherine Mullany tortured, beaten & murdered in their hotel room.
January 2009 Captain Drew Gollan murdered in front of his girl friend and their daughter at English harbour. .
February 2009 Allen Stanford's ma*sive fraud becomes front page news. Leroy King administrator for the Antigua governments Financial Services Regulatory Committee is later indited by the US government for covering up the fraud.
2008 saw 19 murders on an island 10miles x 14miles giving it a higher murder rate per head of the population than New York. Rapes are running at around 30 per year, and that is only the reported figure. All of which is deliberately hidden from tourists visiting Antigua
January 2009 Captain Drew Gollan murdered in front of his girl friend and their daughter at English harbour. .
February 2009 Allen Stanford's ma*sive fraud becomes front page news. Leroy King administrator for the Antigua governments Financial Services Regulatory Committee is later indited by the US government for covering up the fraud.
2008 saw 19 murders on an island 10miles x 14miles giving it a higher murder rate per head of the population than New York. Rapes are running at around 30 per year, and that is only the reported figure. All of which is deliberately hidden from tourists visiting Antigua
-
- +1
-
-
written by I WANT REVENGE, September 30, 2009
antigua needs a whole lot of work on their government syatem n everything
thse tourists are successful, and very respectful
they are not S****D.. they would never hit anyone in a foreign country without havin a valid reason.. they thought they were goin to be killed dese police officers came out with paddles hittin dem in the stomach and everything
the investigators only took pictures of the officers and not the victims.. how suspicious.. cuz they were actually all damaged up n beaten down..
THEY BEAT UP 12 PEOPLE.. BUT ONLY ARRESTED THE 6 THAT FOUGHT BACK..
thse tourists are successful, and very respectful
they are not S****D.. they would never hit anyone in a foreign country without havin a valid reason.. they thought they were goin to be killed dese police officers came out with paddles hittin dem in the stomach and everything
the investigators only took pictures of the officers and not the victims.. how suspicious.. cuz they were actually all damaged up n beaten down..
THEY BEAT UP 12 PEOPLE.. BUT ONLY ARRESTED THE 6 THAT FOUGHT BACK..
-
- +3
-
-
written by american Abroad, September 25, 2009
and to my fellow americans, lets not stoop to an ethocentric mentality. we dont need to be sayin how "Antigua can fit into central park" or "the little island". It definately sucks right now in america with all the things going on so lets focus on the topic and not on belittling the caribbean...lets try to prove that we all arent like Tyra Banks.
-
- -2
-
-
written by american Abroad, September 25, 2009
Many a time i've seen off duty imigration officers asking "you got time?" referring to residential stamps followed by the statement " when you go for time, nuh bother come in my line cuz me woulda never give you" and other statements along that line. so dont talk about "antiguans treat tourists better" because until you've been on the other side of the fence, you cant speak of how it feels
-
- +1
-
-
written by american Abroad, September 25, 2009
i didn't even know that was a police station. and antiguans ALWAYS try to hustle tourists. i see it happen everyday. there are times that they even try hustling me. If it werent for me having family here, i would have probably fell for it myself.And everyone knows Antiguans do not like foreigners...Primary example: ALP and UPP election. The mentality is that it doesnt matter if you work here, if your not from here, u shouldnt have a vote..
-
- +2
-
-
written by american Abroad, September 25, 2009
As an American living in Antigua i can tell you from first hand experience that you cant give most antiguans any kind of power without them abusing it. in all my years of traveling, i've never met a more uncivilized group of people. dont get me wrong, there are people that are a pleasure to be around on this island but for the most part theres nothing but ignorant, wannabe thugs who think they're always right. news flash: YOU CAN'T ALWAYS BE RIGHT!!!! I do believe that there was police brutality involved here. When i first came here,
-
- +3
-
-
written by j, September 24, 2009
St John's Police Station has the name above the door. I wonder how come they missed it? Even if people want to cancel flights to Antigua, that u cant stop. Furthermore, most of our tourist are from Europe.
-
- -1
-
-
written by j, September 24, 2009
Antiguans treat tourist better than their own people. So what you just stated was very hard for me to believe. They were not even taken to Fort james, it was Jolly Harbour. Certain things are just a learning experience and we are over charged many times no matter where we go. Im not condoning the taxi driver for over charging them if so be the case but they should just pay the$50 and move on. I was over charged in NY city and what could i have done? Nothing. Taxi drivers asked us $100US to the airport from the bronx and when we called another one he said $55 so what is the real fare?
-
- -2
-
-
written by pretty, September 11, 2009
Yes I agree with coopin because a few years ago me and afew of my friends also took a trip with a cruise and one of our stops were Antigua when we got off the boat the people were being very very rude it was our first time there and we were askin ? like were is the best place to eat and the people were like quote mean know, they were sucking their teeths, go ova dey sa an ask somebody else I mean come on dthats rude very rude and WHAT I SAID TO MY FRIENDS WAS LET ME ASK ONLY BECAUSE IM FROM GUYANA THE MINTUTE I PUT ON THAT GUYANESE SLANG EVERYBODY WE ASK WAS BEING POLITE EVERYBODY NOW WHY IS THAT WHY WELL I'LL TELL YOU BECAUSE B4 WE SOUND LIKE NEW YORKERS.
-
- +1
-
-
written by Sophia V, September 09, 2009
I have visited Antigua every year for the past 8 years and have never had a problem. Everyone was absolutely nice. I think a lot of what's going on is attitude. People sometimes put themselves on a pedestal and expect others to look up to them or tolerate their behavior. Well, that didn't happen. Instead, all the hell raising bought them was a spot in jail, and much more.
In the U.S., there wouldn't be mosquito bites but definitely taser marks, if not bullet holes. I fly to Antigua, but even if I cruised, I would have paid the $50 and been back on the boat... headed home. Chalk it up to inexperience and move on. Life is too short and so much has been lost on principles. Not saying principles are unimportant, but choose your battles wisely.
In the U.S., there wouldn't be mosquito bites but definitely taser marks, if not bullet holes. I fly to Antigua, but even if I cruised, I would have paid the $50 and been back on the boat... headed home. Chalk it up to inexperience and move on. Life is too short and so much has been lost on principles. Not saying principles are unimportant, but choose your battles wisely.
-
- +2
-
-
written by antigua woman, September 09, 2009
I am not preaching racism here,actuallly i have some pretty nice white friends,but had it not been blacks,i wonder if it would have been handled differently,police have limitations to,if someone have not comitted a crime,the police have no authority to place their hands on that person,everbody dont react the same to situations,the cab driver should lose his license's ,and the police officers should be reprimanded for not knowing their jobs,weilding of power is not always the right way,a soft word can turn an ugly situation into a pleasing end. commonsense must pervail in everthing we do.
-
- +4
-
-
written by antigua woman, September 09, 2009
I am in total agreement with caribman,the fares should be given to the tourist from the point of origin,it should not be left to the taxi men to tell them what it is.Tourism is our main revenue earner ,it should be treated as such,everthing pertaining to tourism should be done professionally.The cause of the unfortunate situation lies with the cab driver,i cant understand what under the heavens would cause him to think that he had the right to take them to the police station,also the officers should be aware that the situation was not a matter for them,commonsense should pervail both from the cab driver& the police.
-
- +2
-
-
written by caribman, September 09, 2009
All I want to know is how come the price was not discussed BEFORE they left ? And how come the driver did not pull out his book of fares that all taxi drivers are to work under ?? The taxi driver is wrong and should also loose his license for not following taxi guidelines!!! The police job is to "protect and serve" so I dont know how they ended up in a fight over a simple $50 fare. The police have to have some form of thick skin and can't behave like nobody is supposed to talk back to them ... when people are upset they first have to calm them down not threaten them or lock them up ... simply calm them down and then get to the b****m of the dispute without picking sides!!!
-
- +3
-
-
written by browngal, September 09, 2009
Born Antiguan - you seem to be a born a*****e. What does one being ALP or UPP has to do with the matter at hand. You supporting the UPP makes you a homosexual? The fact is the taxi driver was greedy and damn well wrong and he should be charged for treason - because the damage he has done to Antigua and Barbuda singlehandedly is equal to treason.
LARD WE CAN TAKE IT NO MO!
LARD WE CAN TAKE IT NO MO!
-
- +2
-
-
written by coopin, September 09, 2009
I am from Antigua and i am a white man.I have been stopped by Antiguan police in my car and also on foot.
The police thinking that i was a tourist,threatened me for money,it was not untill i started to talk Antiguan and call a few names that they realised i was a white Antiguan and let me go.The Antiguan police that behave this way are un..educated i***ts in uniform,they are few!
The police thinking that i was a tourist,threatened me for money,it was not untill i started to talk Antiguan and call a few names that they realised i was a white Antiguan and let me go.The Antiguan police that behave this way are un..educated i***ts in uniform,they are few!
-
- +4
-
-
written by BORN ANTIGUAN, September 09, 2009
Just a little info on the taxi driver HUNGRY BIRD then you can put it into perceptive. A known xxxxx and a well known ALP supporter, the saddest part he is not Antiguan or Barbudan he is from St. Vincent...............................I smell a rat in all this.............................Good move ALP you have damage Antigua & Barbuda name again
-
- +2
-
-
written by BeenThereDoneThat, September 09, 2009
So Uni,
Is kidnapping and a*sault on tourists right or wrong?
It really doesn't matter. Antigua has shown it's "true colours". The only question is if the world takes notice, or ignores it like Robert Vesco, Gerald Bull, the Apartheid arms trans-shipments, John Allen Mohammed/Lee Malvo or "Sir" Allen Stanford.
How many dominos have to fall before someone imposes some adult supervision? Clearly the last 20+ years since the British kicked them out of the Empire have shown that Antiguas are incapable of doing so.
Is kidnapping and a*sault on tourists right or wrong?
It really doesn't matter. Antigua has shown it's "true colours". The only question is if the world takes notice, or ignores it like Robert Vesco, Gerald Bull, the Apartheid arms trans-shipments, John Allen Mohammed/Lee Malvo or "Sir" Allen Stanford.
How many dominos have to fall before someone imposes some adult supervision? Clearly the last 20+ years since the British kicked them out of the Empire have shown that Antiguas are incapable of doing so.
-
- +2
-
-
written by hot momma, September 09, 2009
I've been to your tiny little island, and had a hard time myself distinguishing who the police were. Not only that, but $50US!!!!!!!??????? You got to be kidding me! Island can probably fit into NY's Central Park and they charging $50US one-way???????????? Poor greedy people. Not because your government has mismanaged their finances does it mean you rip off the only true source of income you have...tourism. Oh well, better get a new gig.
(Mt Obama
funny)
(Mt Obama
funny)
-
- +1
-
-
written by Uni, September 09, 2009
Reading this article and then reading the comments that follow is not unexpected. We must not forget that this is a matter of right from wrong and irregardless of who you may be, once you find yourself on the other side of the law you have to accept the concequences of your actions. Wrong is wrong and right is right. This is a matter of the law and only after there is an judgement in this case such we rightfully make such comments.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Robert Vesco, September 09, 2009
The AP has now updated the story to include the taxi drivers' doubling of the price of the ride, that the "police" were not in uniform and how the driver attempted to drive the tourists into a gated lot out of public view before they were a*saulted.
Antigua's reputation as a fourth world country is now secured.
Congratulations.
Antigua's reputation as a fourth world country is now secured.
Congratulations.
-
- +5
-
-
written by ammused, September 08, 2009
Anyone who has ever been on the wrong side of an Antiguan Police officer out of uniform with no identification knows how confrontational they can be. Our police have the worst record for being rude and disrespectful. Any police officer worth his or her salt could have easily been able to arbitrate this case by telling the taxi that he was wrong and to go about his business and stop overcharging our guests. Then the officers should have been getting the guests another taxi to take them back to the ship. Why do you think the tourist fought with the police? Do they have a history of violence. They seen educated. Could it have been they were pervoked? Even so both were wrong but the police were suposed to be trained to do better.
-
- +6
-
-
written by Wondering, September 08, 2009
The fare to Fort James would be USD$3.00 each one way (with a minimum fare of 4 people or less being - USD$12.00 one way) - so USD$18.00 for six - seems more likely these people went to St James's Club - about USD$8.00 per person each one way - so USD$48.00 or USD$96.00 return. I've seen taxi drivers get shortchanged on several occa*sions. Once the tourists have got themselves through the security barrier the drivers cannot follow them. Sometimes the guests say they don't have enough money and return to the ship to get it - never to return.
-
- -4
-
-
written by Avid Watcher, September 08, 2009
The Americans who are making a stink about it full of crap, if you go into a park in the US and have a beer, even unopened you get a ticket - you have to return to the USA for a hearing. If this happened in the USA, they would have ended up in jail and hitting a police officer no matter who is wrong, is a chargeable offense. It is unfortunate that it is happening at this time, but the Americans who are canceling vacations are hypocritical.
-
- -4
-
-
written by Lamanex, September 08, 2009
At a time when the island is suffering they are biting the hands that feed them. How were strangers to know they were dealing with police officers when they were not in uniform? Did they present identification? If the transport board had regulated fares why were they not called to verify that the cab driver's fare was correct?. I am Antiguan living oversease and am just sick of the negative publicity my country is generating. People tourism is your main industry, protect it.
-
- +3
-
-
written by George, September 08, 2009
These tourist should be happy that the cab driver drove to the police station. In most other countries the cab driver would have driven to a secluded place and have took their money violently.
At a police station everybody knows that you have to cooperate, in some countries you can't even talk back to them (remember the LA riots???) without being beat up badly.
Should we now have tourist beat up police officers and than blame the police force? That is turning everything around wrongly. If Antigua is depending on those kind of tourist we are in trouble.
Blaming the police force does not seem right.
Let the court decide before judging that it all was the fault of the police.
At a police station everybody knows that you have to cooperate, in some countries you can't even talk back to them (remember the LA riots???) without being beat up badly.
Should we now have tourist beat up police officers and than blame the police force? That is turning everything around wrongly. If Antigua is depending on those kind of tourist we are in trouble.
Blaming the police force does not seem right.
Let the court decide before judging that it all was the fault of the police.
-
- -3
-
-
written by croxley, September 08, 2009
from what i heard to day that taxi driver is a greedy trouble maker. that must be stop. this is not good for our tourism.not doubt the police handle the situation badly thus causing the problem to escalate.
-
- +6
-
-
written by caribboy, September 08, 2009
reading this article makes me want to beat the scufllers butt off!
-
- -3
-
-
written by ken, September 08, 2009
This incedent is most unfortunate. Now just wondering, have anyone ever seen someone misbehave in the presence of and or to the police and the police let it slide, just wondering if this would have not been a good time to do just this? Rember Deputy Commissioner Albert Smith and his non action on labour day?
-
- +1
-
-
written by baffled, September 08, 2009
This has gone weyyyyyyyyy pa*s a taxi driver "ripping" off a few tourist!
POLICE OFFICERS WERE BEING BEATEN..WELL!
I cant go into any country and a*sult the cops on any beat... Brings to mind a few years back when an American kid went to a "third world" country, deface someone car and the punishment in that "third world" country was a canning. The American Gov kick a b***h! They canned his a*s then was ship back to the US!
All I am saying when anyone of us goes into another man house we give respect! In some countries it is a felony to hit an officer..WHAT MAKES ANTIGUA ANY DIFFERENT? WHAT MAKES IT RIGHT FOR US TO FOLLOW THE AMERICAN LAWS?? BECAUSE OF TOURISM?
I have yet to hear anyone says what those people did to those cops were wrong!
POLICE OFFICERS WERE BEING BEATEN..WELL!
I cant go into any country and a*sult the cops on any beat... Brings to mind a few years back when an American kid went to a "third world" country, deface someone car and the punishment in that "third world" country was a canning. The American Gov kick a b***h! They canned his a*s then was ship back to the US!
All I am saying when anyone of us goes into another man house we give respect! In some countries it is a felony to hit an officer..WHAT MAKES ANTIGUA ANY DIFFERENT? WHAT MAKES IT RIGHT FOR US TO FOLLOW THE AMERICAN LAWS?? BECAUSE OF TOURISM?
I have yet to hear anyone says what those people did to those cops were wrong!
-
- -2
-
-
written by baffled, September 08, 2009
For those who may eat my head off..leave my brains! I have a few questions, so if anyone can answer them please please do.
Was the taxi driver any way involved in the actual fight?
What was the cause of the fight between the police and the tourist? (Don't tell me because the taxi man took to the police station)
Both cases are different..they may stem from the same "cause", but it ended differently.
What would have being the result had the same situation taken place with one of those yellow cab on Madison?
How would have "NY's finest reacted?
Was the taxi driver any way involved in the actual fight?
What was the cause of the fight between the police and the tourist? (Don't tell me because the taxi man took to the police station)
Both cases are different..they may stem from the same "cause", but it ended differently.
What would have being the result had the same situation taken place with one of those yellow cab on Madison?
How would have "NY's finest reacted?
-
- +2
-
-
written by skyewill, September 08, 2009
true the new is everywhere and Yes people are calling my office asking if I heard about this, mostly Americans and som others. This is going to do more damage than the murders as many people are canceling their trip I just read it in USAToday
-
- +2
-
-
written by Avid Watcher, September 08, 2009
Hopefully this will bring the government and the taxi a*soc. to an understanding that fares need to be posted inside the cabs, so that pa*sengers need to know what the charges are from point A to B. I had an experience with a friend that was visiting Antigua for the first time, I was floored by the fare for visitors vs. fare for Antiguans. Set fares for rides need to be instituted.
-
- +2
-
-
written by Yo mama, September 08, 2009
Heheeee. Larrrrdddd finally the police got theirs and dem fe get mo blow and soon e go be local youth that bang dem. Those untrained thugs tek dat for when areyou shoot the lickle boy in e foot dit e back tun and un armed. mo deh fo get man. Me sarry the tourists no done garn after the axsxs wooping
-
- +2
-
-
written by Onlooker, September 08, 2009
Let me first say, that the tourists have behaved in an unlawful way and should not be let off on this, in the name of tourism. My question here is... Is the taxi driver involved in all this happy with all the trouble he has caused as a result of his greed. Antigua and Barbuda taxi's are governed by the Transport Board and all taxi rates are government controlled. The fare for 5 people to go from St. John's to Fort James is$15.00us one way. So even at the price of $50.00 the tourists where being ripped off. I hope that charges also are put onto the taxi driver, for public mischief and for going against the regulations of the Government. This incident has far reaching complications and can cause a lot of damage to our tourism industry
-
- +4
-
-
written by Blossom, September 08, 2009
NYer why don't you stick to the point. What that got to do with mount obama. Sometimes many of us sound as if we never been to school. Both sides in the fight need to give their stories clearer. Let us not rush to hasty decisions. The truth will come out. Some tourist sometimes think they can bully people and you have to stand up for your right as a taxi driver. Why didn't they listen to the police?
-
- -3
-
-
written by concerned, September 08, 2009
Lets not jump to any conclusions. One article I read last week regarding this incident quoted an eyewitness as saying one of the tourist started the brawled by hitting an officer in the face while another officer was hit by yet another tourist. Lets get the facts straight. If a visitor to NYC would a*sault a Police officer, they would be beaten. Lets get the facts straight first.
-
- -2
-
-
written by NYer, September 08, 2009
What the taxi driver and cop's didn't know (not that they could) was that these folks were from the congressional district of Yvette Clark, the ONLY US representative at that "Mount Obama" publicity stunt. If Antigua thought it has a friend in the US Congress, now they'll have to think again.
She's probably on the phone now opening up a new orifice on Spencer's xxxxxx!
She's probably on the phone now opening up a new orifice on Spencer's xxxxxx!
-
- +2
-
-
written by sb**terfly, September 08, 2009
What is really going on in Antigua? Is this what our country has come to, huh? This is the second biggest tourist incident that has occurred since last year with the mullany couple and now this, our tourism industry is doom doom doom beyond repair.
-
- +6
-
-
written by patriot, September 08, 2009
There are always two sides to a story. Im not a big fan of tourism myself, as I think its only lazy a country stick to tourism as a major means of income. Regardless, when you in another man's country, you behave yourself. They have to have seen the sign that says St. John's Police Station, and the police vehicles parked in the yard. How much does a taxi cab charge in Brooklyn for roughly the same distance?
-
- -1
-
-
written by Have Mercy, September 08, 2009
It's your responsibility to set your price before departure and make it abundantly clear! Are we to beleive you are taking cruise ship pa*sengers to Fort James and somehow anticipate they planned on returning by themselves? Does our police force really lack the capacity to exercise any form of civility whatsoever? Were their reactions solely based on S****Dity? If these tourists skin color was different I believe their actions would have been totally different(yes sir, yes mam)! I'm not proclaiming the innocence of the tourists because we all know how some Americans are at times but the responsibility here was on the force to act professionally. From all indications they did not! WHAT A VACATION!
-
- +2
-
-
written by NYer, September 08, 2009
1010 WINS (one of the two biggest NY area radio stations) is airing an interview of someone who was actually there who describes an unmarked building, a gated area and "police" without uniforms. Under those conditions, I would have fought too. They probably thought they were going to be "disappeared". You can probably kiss Carnival Cruises goodbye after this one.
-
- +4
-
-
Write comment
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
F**KING ANNOYED