From Caribbean 360

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday October 10, 2014, CMC – The Jamaica government has condemned the robbery of a motorised wheel chair by a disabled woman describing it as a “vile and dastardly act”.

Police said that Coretta Vincent, 37, was robbed at gun point on Wednesday, leaving her on a sidewalk close to a cemetery.

The telecommunication company, Digicel has since presented her with a motorised scooter while the security firm, King Alarm, has committed to providing the woman with security to prevent a recurrence of her ordeal.

Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Keller in a statement called on all “well thinking Jamaicans” to strongly condemn the robbery “in broad day light.

“Nothing can justify this act of robbery against a member of the disabled community at gun point. It is, without doubt, a vile and dastardly act. It is, furthermore, symptomatic of the low level of immorality to which some in the society have sunk; and we must resist this trend at all cost.”

He said that the government is ‘“deeply saddened and disgusted by this most egregious occurrence, and stand ready to assist Ms. Vincent in whatever way possible to stabilize her life after her horrific ordeal.

“The robbery confirms for us the critical importance to the nation and the disabled community, of the recent passage in the Parliament of the national Disabilities Act 2014, which eschews in no uncertain terms all acts of discrimination and insensitivity perpetrated against persons with disabilities. It encourages a change in attitude towards persons who are disabled.”

He said he was urging people with information about the crime, or who know the whereabouts of the wheel chair, to contact the nearest police station or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security immediately.

“In addition, I am appealing to my fellow Jamaicans to graciously extend to persons with disabilities in the society the respect they deserve, and to patriotically open to them doors of opportunities previously closed to enable them, like Miss Vincent, to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the society,” Kellier added.

He said as a person with disability, Miss Vincent was not sitting idly by seeking hand-outs or special treatment.

“By her deeds, she simply wants equal rights and justice,” he added.

IMAGE: CORETTE VINCENT SOON AFTER BEING ROBBED (JAMAICA OBSERVER PHOTO)

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/armed-robbery-of-disabed-womans-wheelchair-described-as-a-vile-and-dastardly-act#ixzz3Frs3CMZM