By Joan Rampersad, www.newsday.co.tt

Klas Charles-Harris, sales and marketing director at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, yesterday tendered his resignation to Issa Nicholas, head of the hotel in the wake of last Friday's incident with the Baptist community. Just prior to a Baptist conference which was scheduled for 9 am last Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom, a group of Baptists were ordered out of the area by Charles-Harris. His office indicated that it had no indication of any event other than that booked by SWMCOL (Solid Waste Management Company Ltd). Newsday learnt that a representative of the SWMCOL called the hotel two days prior to the event to book the ballroom. The SWMCOL official promised to do all the paperwork on the day it was booked for. The hotel didn't have a problem with the arrangement given that SWMCOL had some $40,000 in credit with them.

On the morning in question, the notice board outside of the ballroom indicated that a SWMCOL event was carded for that venue. When sponsors and facilitators of the event, SWMCOL and Rose Foundation respectively, arrived at the plaza, they observed that there was no indication on the notice board of a Baptist Conference taking place. Sean Julien of the Rose Foundation told Newsday last week that in order that the invited Baptists not be confused by the notice board, he had the hotel staff change the sign to read "Spiritual Baptist Conference." On seeing the board change, Julien said that Charles-Harris went into the ballroom and ordered everybody out since he was unaware of any event other than the SWMCOL affair. It was only when Rose Foundation head, Sterling Belgrove, arrived, and there was a call from a SWMCOL official explaining that the venue was booked for a Baptist conference that Charles-Harris got a clearer picture of what was going on. He immediately apologised to the earlier occupants of the ballroom who happened to be Baptists.

Speaking with Newsday after the conference, Charles-Harris, who was born in Sweden to Trinidadian and Vincentian parents, said what happened was a misunderstanding and that he realised what he'd said, had unfortunately hurt a lot of feelings and that he was indeed sorry that the incident took place. This was corroborated by Belgrove. However those happenings were never explained to the Baptists, most of whom weren't even present, by SWMCOL nor the Rose Foundation personnel. So, when the Baptist leaders mounted the podium, speaker after speaker at the head table lambasted Charles-Harris for his earlier remark, "Get these people out of here." The Baptists wondered why after nine years celebrating the holiday there were still pockets of discrimination in the society towards them.

Archbishop Julien, a key figure in the incident said on the day: "I don't want to take it further. We should learn to forgive. It happened to me personally but I forgive him already." To date, monies for the event still remain outstanding as no contract was ever signed for it. Also, hotel personnel have categorically stated that no letter was ever received from SWMCOL, stating that they were booking the ballroom for a Baptist event. Charles-Harris' resignation is now awaiting consideration by hotel owner, Issa Nicholas.