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PM: Calls for gangs to unite against police are 'sick and evil'
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago /Crime & Justice

PM: Calls for gangs to unite against police are 'sick and evil'

From Trinidad Express · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar condemned calls for violent criminal gangs to unite against law enforcement, labeling them "sick and evil."
  • She accused opposition parties, trade unions, entertainers, and activists of associating with dangerous rhetoric and supporting protesters who targeted the DPP's office.
  • Persad-Bissessar contrasted the outrage over gang unification calls with the lack of public outcry for victims of gang violence over the past 25 years.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has strongly condemned what she termed "sick and evil" calls for violent criminal gangs to unite against law enforcement officers and citizens. She accused elements of the opposition, trade unions, entertainers, and activists of aligning themselves with dangerous rhetoric.

sick and evil

— Kamla Persad-BissessarPrime Minister Persad-Bissessar's description of calls for violent criminal gangs to unite against law enforcement.

In a statement accompanied by a video, Persad-Bissessar asserted that only "sick and evil people" would support calls for gangs to target police and law-abiding citizens. The video featured men speaking against law enforcement, with one criticizing charges against Kaia Sealy, who faces charges in connection with the shooting death of her partner, Joshua Samaroo. Sealy is reportedly receiving medical treatment in the United States.

only “sick and evil people” would support calls for gangs to target police officers and law-abiding citizens.

— Kamla Persad-BissessarThe Prime Minister's strong condemnation of those aligning with dangerous rhetoric.

One man in the video urged gangs to unite against a perceived "divide and rule" system and called for a "revolution." Persad-Bissessar found it "appalling" that the People's National Movement (PNM), some union leaders, entertainers, and others were supporting protesters she claimed attempted to intimidate prosecutorial officials at the DPP's office.

This sick and evil call for gangs to unify to attack law enforcement occurred during the protest in front of the DPP’s office this past week, where protesters attempted to intimidate prosecutorial officials at work.

— Kamla Persad-BissessarThe Prime Minister linked the dangerous calls to protests at the DPP's office.

Persad-Bissessar highlighted that Trinidad and Tobago has recorded over 10,000 murders in the last 25 years due to gang violence, questioning the lack of outrage and demonstrations for victims. She urged those affiliated with the dangerous rhetoric to engage in self-reflection, stating it was "sickening" to associate with individuals promoting gang unification against law enforcement. The Prime Minister assured citizens that the government and police would defend them and ensure their safety.

Where are the mass demonstrations for them? Where is the empathy and love for them? Where are the campaigns and protests by the grifters demanding justice for victims caught in gang warfare?

— Kamla Persad-BissessarPersad-Bissessar questioned the lack of public outcry for victims of gang violence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Trinidad Express in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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