Senior Reporter
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles last night accused unnamed individuals of attempting to suppress the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) candlelight vigil in defence of freedom and democracy in San Juan.
Addressing hundreds of supporters gathered at the Croisee Plaza, Beckles alleged efforts had been made to prevent the gathering from taking place.
“Allyuh know they didn’t want us to have this vigil tonight? Allyuh know they didn’t want us to have this meeting tonight? They don’t understand the power of the PNM. They don’t understand the power of the people,” Beckles said.
She criticised T&T Police Service (TTPS) restrictions on protests during the ongoing State of Emergency (SoE), questioning why demonstrators were being prevented from gathering at 15 locations across the country.
“What it is in ANR Robinson Airport that they ent want you to protest? They don’t want you to go Piarco. They don’t want you to go by the Parliament. They don’t want you to go by the Ministry of Finance. I mean, they don’t want you to go by the Diplomatic Centre but she not living there!”
Drawing a comparison with statements made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who in 2018 encouraged citizens to rest and reflect, Beckles argued that demonstrations outside Parliament were a normal part of democratic life.
“It is normal for people to protest in front the Parliament. As a matter of fact, if you’re a politician and you can’t take picong, and you can’t pass in front of the Parliament and take picong, you should not be a politician,” she told the crowd.
Beckles also accused Government of intimidating critics.
“When a Government threatens citizens every day, and keeps warning you about what you say, what you say on your phone, when they threatening social media activists and they want to threaten politicians, it is a dictatorship.”
Referring the United National Congress’ political roots, she said: “We understand that she can’t really march. But if you can’t march, and if you can’t walk, and if you can’t run a 5K, don’t stop nobody. And if it is you want to run the country from your house in the Philippines, don’t stop Trinidadians and Tobagonians from even a peaceful protest. Because they don’t want no kind of protest.”
Also addressing the gathering, PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales said they will challenge any attempt to extend the SoE via the courts.
“Very soon, the Government has served its intention to go back to Parliament to extend the State of Emergency to hold us in suppression. Tonight (last night), we wish to serve notice to the Government that we have already assembled our team of attorneys, who will be prepared to go to the court and file a constitutional motion to bring an end to this unlawful and unconstitutional state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago.”
He said a similar legal challenge in Jamaica resulted in a court ruling that the repeated use of states of emergency as a crime-fighting measure was unconstitutional.
He also criticised Persad-Bissessar for her absence from post-Cabinet media briefings and again called for the removal of Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge.
“The security of Trinidad and Tobago cannot reside in the hands of disgraceful people like Roger Alexander, like Phillip Alexander, like Anil Roberts and that whole bunch of misfits. We have to chase them out of office,” he said to loud cheers from the crowd.
The event concluded with gospel music and supporters holding aloft candles and flashing cellphone lights.
