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'We Will Not Be Gagged': Activist's friends speak out amid protests
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago /Culture & Society

'We Will Not Be Gagged': Activist's friends speak out amid protests

From Trinidad Express · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Activist Alyssa Phillip, a friend of Kaia Sealy, is organizing protests following Sealy's injury and the death of her partner, Joshua Samaroo.
  • Phillip, who runs a baking business, is described as someone who finds time to fight injustice despite her demanding schedule.
  • Supporters, like Mariah Walcott, believe actions like Phillip's arrest and the implementation of no-protest zones are intimidation tactics to silence dissent.

Alyssa Phillip, a close friend of Kaia Sealy, has become a prominent figure organizing protests following Sealy's severe injury in a police-involved shooting that resulted in the death of her common-law husband, Joshua Samaroo. Sealy faces multiple charges, including manslaughter.

She has to wake up at 4 a.m. to begin her day as a baker and drive around to different locations.

— Mariah WalcottWalcott described Phillip's demanding daily schedule as a baker.

Phillip, 24, who also attended Bishop Anstey High School with Sealy and another friend, Mariah Walcott, operates a demanding baking business. According to Walcott, Phillip wakes at 4 a.m. daily to manage the business, which she expanded using her education and business skills after inheriting it from her father. "She has to wake up at 4 a.m. to begin her day as a baker and drive around to different locations," Walcott said.

Despite her busy schedule, Phillip dedicates time to advocating against what she perceives as injustice. Walcott stated, "I don’t think Alyssa sees herself as an activist. I don’t see myself as an activist or public figure either. I am simply a human being trying to do the right thing. But I will say it again: I will not be gagged. We are trying to set an example."

I don’t think Alyssa sees herself as an activist. I don’t see myself as an activist or public figure either. I am simply a human being trying to do the right thing. But I will say it again: I will not be gagged. We are trying to set an example.

— Mariah WalcottWalcott explained their motivations for protesting and standing up against perceived injustice.

Walcott views the recent introduction of no-protest zones and Phillip's arrest as part of a larger effort to suppress public demonstrations. "I feel like implementing these no-protest zones and having Alyssa arrested are all part of intimidation tactics. They are going to these lengths to try to stop people," Walcott argued. Walcott has continued to lead protests alongside Phillip, even after Phillip was arrested, charged, and granted bail.

I feel like implementing these no-protest zones and having Alyssa arrested are all part of intimidation tactics. They are going to these lengths to try to stop people.

— Mariah WalcottWalcott expressed her belief that authorities are using tactics to silence protesters.
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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