THE People Powers Action Party members have denied any part in the burning down and looting of Chinatown, 2006.
President, Robert Wales Feratelia admitted this when launching his Party's manifestos at Point Cruz on Wednesday.
"Peoples Power has a fundamental philosophy and vows to always abide under it, and that is, it does not advocate the use of violence, in any way, in order to gain victory," he said.
"Peoples Power is a non-violent group, who uses other medium to air out their concerns, and help resolve issues affecting the civil society in a forceful but amicable manner."
Mr Feratelia said his Party was formed immediately after the ethnic crisis that brought Solomon Islands down to its knees and had nearly divided the nation.
"It was a very powerful and forceful civil society group back then. It became the voice of the people to put across their grievances to the government," he said.
"We vowed to always carry out its activities within the perimeters of the law, an example of which occurred in 2003.
"The Group applied to the Commissioner of Police and the Provincial Police Commander of Honiara City for permission to stage a protest march to present a petition by the people to the government to address the Lost and Abandoned Property Claims, resulting from the ethnic tension, together with other national issues," he said.
However, Mr Feratelia said the request was turned down because of the tense political situation experienced at that particular time when the application was lodged.
"We took the matter to the High Court of Solomon Islands, but unfortunately the court ruled in favor of the Defendants. Landslide was not in our favor," he said.
"Following the court’s ruling the proposed demonstration was called off and that caused great disappointment and discouragement to all the members of this civil society group.
"Since then the Group started to dismantle but thanks to the remnant (members and supporters) who saw it fitting to survive PEOPLE S POWER to date."
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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