The police have refused to grant the promoters of Finish Line a permit because violent clashes they say may develop between headliners Mavado and Vbyz Kartel or their supporters.Finish Line: The Summer Edition, was scheduled for today at the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track. However, Superintendent Assan Thompson of the Kingston Eastern Police Division said he had not granted permission for the event to be held in the division.
"I have received intelligence that persons appearing on the event are likely to have violent clashes which might result in firearm usage and affect the security and safety of the Norman Manley International Airport," Thompson told THE STAR.
He added, "The notice to me I received 24 hours ago and that would not give me enough time to sufficiently and effectively police an event of that nature. On that basis I have refused a permit."
Thompson said he is open to discussions with the promoter but they would have to assure him that the event will be safe and that the artistes would not resort to any form of violence.
In March, the promoters were not granted permission to host the event at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. The Finish Line: Summer Edition, Stop The Violence should have been held at the Police Officers' Club but the location was changed to the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track earlier this week when the police said the noise from the event might affect the nearby Andrews Memorial Hospital.
Thompson said he is open to discussions with the promoter but they would have to assure him that the event will be safe and that the artistes would not resort to any form of violence.
In March, the promoters were not granted permission to host the event at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. The Finish Line: Summer Edition, Stop The Violence should have been held at the Police Officers' Club but the location was changed to the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track earlier this week when the police said the noise from the event might affect the nearby Andrews Memorial Hospital.
Maurice Williams, one of the promoters for Finish Line, is upset about the new developments as he says he will lose millions and it would affect the credibility of the event and its sponsors.
"It's just crazy! We will be losing millions again in promotion and the high production of the event. We don't want to decrease the credibility of the event's name. They (police) are destroying the character of the event. We are going to take this to court," he said.
He added, "I can't even explain how I feel 'bout it. Dem seh dem a stop it cause Mavado and Kartel deh pon it and there might be violence or gun violence but this is a peace event so it is an event that they should endorse. It has been incident-free for the past six years."
He said he did not see the reason for the police's decision as Mavado and Vybz Kartel have performed on the same event in the past and are booked for upcoming events.
Williams said he might wait until next year to host Finish Line after Boys and Girls Championship.
"Wi nuh want it reach di point where wi seh 'Finish Line' an' people seh 'dat again'," he said.
Source: Jamaica Star
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