Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Edem Agbana has said the stone throwing by some members of the Arise Ghana pressure group during the first day of the demonstration was self defence.
He claimed that the Police started firing tear gas at them during the exercise without any provocation.
“Self defence is seen as legal, they were only reacting to the action of the Police,” Agbana told TV3’s Roland Walker during the protesters in Accra on Tuesday June 28.
He further accused the Police of recklessness.
He said they were embarking on a peaceful demonstration only for the Police to start firing tear gas at them.
“I think that what happened is unfortunate, this is not what we bargained for,” he said.
He added “we are peaceful demonstrators, unarmed protesters sending a clear message to the government that the economy is in a mess.”
The Police however accused the demonstrators of attacking them.
They described the situation as shameful.
The Police in a tweet said “Attack on Police in the Ongoing Arise Ghana Demonstration What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned.”
By Laud Nartey|editors.3news.com|Ghana
