Before they were put in front of Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, the defendants stood up and repeatedly chanted: "Harambee! Harambee!" a Swahili word meaning working together, pulling together.

The allegations against them ranged from forcibly entering the Presidential Complex in New Garden Street with intent to use violence, malicious damage to State property in the Accounts Department there and participating in an unlawful precession without permission from the Commissioner of Police.

Mrs. Holder-Allen issued arrest warrants for leading figures in the protest Philip Bynoe and Mark Benschop, who are jointly accused with the others.

Among those charged yesterday were former television talk show host Ronald Waddell, who is ensnared in the allegation of aiding and abetting riotous damage to the Office of the President.

He pleaded not guilty and was put on $55,000 bail.

Police Inspector Gordon Peters, prosecuting, had objected to the grant for all the defendants, given the serious nature of the offences and where they were committed.

The Prosecutor asked for time to facilitate further investigations but the magistrate was not convinced that the Prosecution had presented enough evidence for her to remand the defendants in custody.

As a result, Anjie Howard 21, of Lot 15 Vigilance, East Coast Demerara and Karen Reis 31, of One Mile Squatting Area, Wismar, Linden, were granted pre-trial liberty on $10,000 recognisances.

Ralph Caesar
Ralph Caesar, one of those who suffered gunshot wounds, was ordered to lodge $25,000, like Melsha Ellis, Kenneth McBean, Julian Proctor and Oswald Clarke.

A juvenile in their midst was told to deposit $20,000 and Calvin Anderson, as well.

Charles Smith, Kevin Marks, Robert Prince, Michael Waldron, Steve Paul and Charles Marks were made to find $35,000 each; Forbes Prince ($55,000) and the surety for Mark Glasgow (no address given either) and James Franklyn, 31, of Victoria, also on East Coast Demerara, was set at $30,000, individually.

The magistrate warned the defendants not to be involved in any other procession while free or their freedom would be withdrawn.

She admonished the bailers, too, about their responsibility to ensure the defendants return on July 29.

Prior to the Court appearance by the group, a bomb scare caused Mrs. Holder-Allen to clear her courtroom but the hoax also affected the High Court, from where people were evacuated, as well.