Police had to restrain and forcibly remove a woman who was clutching a Bible from the gallery of the House of Assembly yesterday after she tried to grab the mace out of the hands of a clerk as Speaker of the House Dr. Kendal Major was making his way inside the chamber.
The woman, identified as Janice Curtis, 46, of Mystic Gardens, said that God told her to come to the House and remove the mace, Major told reporters.
The incident occurred at about 10:45 a.m., just before the House's morning sitting began.
Assistant House Clerk David Forbes was holding the mace and leading Major's procession into the chamber when the woman grabbed at the mace as the group walked past her.
Major then grabbed hold of the woman and a minor struggle ensued as he restrained her on a chair.
The House's Sergeant-at-Arms Kendal Pennerman and officer Keith Ferguson forcibly removed Curtis from the gallery moments later as startled parliamentarians and other spectators looked on.
She was immediately placed in the speaker's custody and held in the Central Police Station following the incident.
Major credited his quick action and quick response from police officers for diffusing what could have been a dangerous situation.
He described how he was forced to briefly restrain the woman.
"The mace bearer [was] right in front of me and when she snatched at the mace he pulled back and she didn't grab it and I sensed it and I essentially helped him," Major said.
"Next thing I know I found myself holding her until the officer grabbed her from me."
Major said Curtis acted "suspiciously" before the incident and was being monitored by the sergeant-at-arms.
He said she was seen fidgeting in the gallery and at one point took her shoes off and rubbed her feet on the carpet.
In spite of the incident, Major said he feels safe in the House.
But he said the matter underscores the need for stringent security measures in Parliament.
"We are always mindful to see how best we can increase our [security] to protect this from happening again," he said.
When the House resumed its sitting after the lunch break, Major informed members that he placed a one-year ban on Curtis from visiting the House of Assembly.
Major also ordered an immediate psychiatric evaluation of Curtis before any further action is taken.
According to Major, Curtis could face a $600 fine and/or six months imprisonment.
He said her actions violated rules governing Parliament.
Security at the House of Assembly was increased earlier this year.
In January, Major said the sergeant-at-arms, who was previously only supplied with a billy club, was given a gun.
A metal detector that was purchased by the previous administration, but never used, was put in place and made operational at the entrance of the House.
But many people still walk through the metal detector without it being manned.
The House's security was heightened after an invasion and robbery at the home of Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis last December. Davis was acting prime minister at the time.

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