Hinds calls for legal action against Akon
Ruth Osman
Sunday, April 22nd 2007
Minister in the Ministry of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds has called for legal action to be taken against R&B/ hip hop star, Akon.
During a recent performance at Club Zen, the entertainer "dry-humped" Deena Alleyne, 14.
The act, which imitated sexual intercourse has opened a national debate on who should bear the most blame for the incident.
"Akon means 'convict' and I feel he should be a 'convict' in Trinidad and Tobago," Hinds said, "having possibly committed a criminal offence of lewd dancing in public".
The minister was speaking to the media after the PNM general council at Balisier House, Port of Spain, yesterday.
He called Deena "young and wild and stupid", but berated those present for not coming to her aid.
"Notwithstanding her stupidity, she deserved the protection of adults. And I saw adults in that function cheering on that convict," he said.
Club owner, Johnny Soong, also came under fire from the minister, who said that he should ensure that the legal age limit (18) is enforced.
"This country has been good to him (Soong) and his forbears ... and they owe it to this country, in the spaces they create for entertainment, to protect the young, foolish people of this nation from themselves and the likes of 'Kon'," he said.
Hinds expressed his intention of dealing with the issue in Parliament on Wednesday during his contribution to the Equal Opportunity debate.
Hinds slammed for calling pastor's daughter stupid
Richard Charan and Kristy Ramnarine
Monday, April 23rd 2007
Junior National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds has been slammed for describing as wild and stupid, a pastor's 15-year-old daughter caught dirty dancing on stage with hip-hop and R&B singer Akon.
Akon himself remained non committal on the controversy that has attracted overseas attention.
A member of Akon's road team reached by the Express yesterday said the artiste was not available for comment on the controversy and a call by Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds for legal action to be taken against Akon, who is from Senegal, West Africa.
Hinds, at the PNM's general council at Balisier House, Port of Spain on Saturday said Akon committed a criminal offence of "lewd dancing in public" with the girl.
Akon left Trinidad shortly after his performance on April 12.
Yesterday, the family of shamed schoolgirl Danah Alleyne issued a statement supporting her and asking that people forgive and forget.
Her brother Ian Alleyne said of Hinds's comment
"we have the second coming of Jesus Christ in Trinidad, because he (Hinds) is the only human being who has never done anything wrong in his entire life".Alleyne said his sister was "not dumb or foolish, and whoever is without sin should cast the first stone" at her.
Video and photo images of Danah having simulated sex on a stage at Club Zen in Port of Spain, have been posted on dozens of websites.
The images have generated an international debate about the singer, the music and the values of the women involved in his performances.
Danah is the daughter of pastor of the Flaming Word Ministry, Dave Alleyne, and sister of the Trinidad and Tobago Crime Watch head Ian Alleyne.
Pastor Alleyne has defended his daughter's action.
He said she was taken advantage of. The girl, a third form secondary school pupil, made a public apology last Friday. She said going to the club was wrong and did not know Akon would treat her in such a manner.
Club owner Johnny Soong has also defended his business. He said an 18 years and over age limit is enforced and Danah somehow slipped through.
On Saturday Hinds said Akon could face a charge of lewd dancing in public, and called Danah "young and wild and stupid".
Ian Alleyne said yesterday "my sister is depressed. She has acknowledged her mistakes and clearly we must give (her) a tomorrow. I am not only defending myself and my sister. I am defending every young person who at that age made mistakes in their lives".
Alleyne said condemning young people when they erred was a sure way to make the problem worse.
"How many people when they were (Danah's) age didn't make a mistake in their life? The only person is (Hinds). A statement like his will scar any person" said Alleyne.
He said that while Danah's actions had hurt deeply their father, Pastor Alleyne "he is first a father and he loves his daughter deeply and like any other parent is trying to deal with this. he is standing by her".
Alleyne said that the issue of underage children at clubs was more prevalent than most people know and that Hinds "must protect our young people".
