Reports are that dancehall artist Alkaline was barred from performing at an event in St. Kitts and Nevis on Saturday, after authorities in that country revoked the work permit granted to the artiste.
In a statement posted on the website NevisPages.com, Nevis' Commissioner of Police Celvin Walwyn said the Nevis Police Command decided to revoke the permission granted for the concert, out of respect for the Office of the Premier, Vance Amory:
Police Press Release: Alkaline Concert
The Office of the Commissioner of Police wishes to inform the general public that the permission to host the Nevis, Alkaline Concert, was given by the Nevis Division of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. There was nothing out of the ordinary about giving permission, it was within their authority to do so.
Just yesterday, it was brought to my attention that there was a concern by the Office of the Premier, with regard to the concert taking place in Nevis. Other than the concern over the alleged explicit content of the lyrics (I have never heard of the Artist until the concerns voiced by the Office of the Premier), I heard of no other reason why the concert should not continue if the Artist and the promoters were educated on the Federation’s laws regarding profanity and vulgarity prior to the concert.
I instructed Deputy Commissioner Stafford Liburd to make it very clear to the Artist and the promoters that such behaviour would not be tolerated, and an arrest would be made, and the concert terminated, if those violations were to occur. I also sent the Premier an internet article referencing the Commonwealth of Dominica and another Reggae Artist (Tommy Lee Sparta) who was allegedly denied entry into that Commonwealth, in the interest of public safety. I further advised him that there might be civil issues resulting from a revocation of permission.
In the meantime, I was in discussion with my Command as to how to proceed if the permission that was given in Nevis were to stand. Yesterday (Thursday 10 July 2014), I was informed out of respect by the Premier’s Office, that permission for the concert was being revoked. Let me make it absolutely clear, I have no personal issues with the Premier’s decision, and the police has acted on his instructions. The promoters have been contacted by the Nevis Police Command prior to the Premier making his decision public.
The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force under my command, will abide by all lawful orders coming from the Office of the Premier; this order is no different.
Commissioner CG Walwyn, Ph.D (ABD)
Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force
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