PM: Law-abiding citizens back SoE

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asserted that the majority of law-abiding citizens and businesses in Trinidad and Tobago back the extended state of emergency and her government's security initiatives. She directly addressed concerns raised by some business groups, chambers, and unions regarding the measure, advising them to "listen to your members."

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listen to your members

Persad-Bissessar dismissed objections to the prohibition of protests within 500 meters of 15 designated areas, including Parliament and courts. She argued that the State has a duty to protect its citizens and highlighted that the restricted zones constitute only 0.23% of the country's total land area, leaving 99.77% available for peaceful demonstrations. The 500-meter zone was implemented, she explained, to negate the effects of small arms fire and prevent intimidation of public servants.

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Trinidad and Tobago has a land area of 5,131 square kilometres. The area around the 15 buildings listed covers 11.77 square kilometres or 0.23% of our total land area. Therefore all citizens have 5,119.23 square kilometres or 99.77% of the country to use for protests.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the government must protect legitimate protesters, public servants, and citizens working in or visiting high-risk buildings, citing infiltration by gang members and other disruptive individuals. She criticized the notion that voices are being muzzled, calling protests against protest restrictions "absurd and hilarious."

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The action was taken following the repeated attempts to provoke the TTPS and the mobbing of the DPP’s office to intimidate and harass persons working there.

Responding to calls from some business groups for evidence of the state of emergency's effectiveness, Persad-Bissessar suggested that many critics engage in "self-promotion" rather than reflecting the true sentiment of the majority. She stated that while everyone desires improvement, not all are willing to make necessary "small adjustments." The Prime Minister emphasized that the government's actions are aimed at addressing threats to the state and its citizens.

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Law-abiding citizens are amazed at the absurdity and hilarity where there are people protesting to say they can’t protest, having public meetings to say they can’t have public meetings, and on persons freely voicing opinions on every mainstream and social media platform claiming their voices are being muzzled.