Raymond Rivers - when we last spoke to him 11 days ago - he had just finished meeting with Southside Commander Chester Williams about his threatening Facebook posts. He also alleged that UDP City Councilor Phillip Willoughby had put a hit out on him - a claim which Willoughby flatly denies. But we did learn that Willoughby had made a statement against Rivers on October fourth, alleging that the activist had threatened him telling him he would die. Willoughby got his lawyer to send a letter to Rivers and made a police report. Well One month later, Rivers was arrested this weekend and went to court today for threatening words. His attorney, the PUP Representative Kareem Musa says that the government is trying to muzzle him:..
Kareem Musa, River's Attorney
"This purported offence, this allegedly offence took place September 20th, 2016. Almost 2 months ago. Since then we know that Mr. Rivers has been very vocal against this administration on Facebook. He is a grassroots activists. Imagine that, September 20th this offence supposedly took place. We are now at November 7th, you know. Almost 2 months for a minor charge and even to this day when we went before the court just now, we were informed by members of the police department that the charge was not properly framed. Imagine that. It has taken them 2 months to prepare a charge sheet for this man and even now they can't get it right. So they are asking him to come back on Wednesday. Again, a very minor offence. No doubt at the end of the day this man is going to be vindicated. I mean, this is a bogus charge. But whether it will be dismiss on Wednesday I cannot say."
Reporter
"What happened when you supposedly uttered these certain words to Mr. Willoughby?"
Raymond Rivers, Denies Threatening Words
"Well I and my two sons went to watch the fireworks September 20th and when Mr. Barrow came I yelled "Sign the anti-corruption convention." And Mr. Barrow wave at me at the crowd and he went in. Now Mr. Willoughby did the same thing and I yelled the same thing at him and he point at me and say 'watch will catch you.' But I just yelled "Sign the anticorruption convention." That was it."
Reporter
"So you didn't say to him "bwai you wah dead"?"
Raymond Rivers, Denies Threatening Words
"No."
Reporter
"It is known that you have in fact come hard against them. Couldn't it be that in the heat of the moment you did utter those words?"
Raymond Rivers, Denies Threatening Words
"No, I was out there with over 20 of my friends. I have 20 witnesses who was there with me."
So, Rivers will re-appear in court on Wednesday.
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