fp Turks and Caicos

Radio talk show hosts Robert Hall and Devon Williams can again attend government press conferences after a seven-month ban for their involvement in a protest in March that blocked the main road to the Providenciales International Airport.

Interim government CEO Martin Stanley made that decision while serving as acting governor before His Excellency the Gov. Ric Todd took office Sept. 12.

Hall, who hosts the “Expressions” talk show on government-run Radio Turks and Caicos (RTC), and Devon Williams, CEO of privately owned Blaze 97.5 FM, were both banned by Attorney General Huw Shepheard on orders from the government.

“Journalists who either behave unprofessionally or who associate themselves too closely with illegal activity such as by blocking the Airport Road will not be invited to government press conferences,” Shepheard said in a letter to Hall. A separate letter informed Williams he could no longer attend.

Williams, who was also spokesman for Turks and Caicos Islanders United for Justice and Equality (TCIUJE) which planned the blockade, was one of the leaders of the protest and was arrested with several others for obstruction.

Hall covered the event as an RTC journalist, but he also took the microphone during the protest and spoke in support of protesters’ demand for the interim government to set a date for elections. However, he urged them not to block the main road to the airport but to conduct peaceful demonstrations.

Hall also hosted a special afternoon edition of “Expressions” with protest leaders and others. Hall said the program was “brought to you by” the TCIUJE.

The blockade caused two American Airlines flights to be canceled, but traffic was quickly routed to another airport entrance to get travelers to and from their flights to this British Overseas Territory.

Photos: Robert Hall (top) and Devon Williams (bottom) during the protest. (Richard Green/Staff)