ESCTT calls for investigation into Helon Francis calypso disruption

The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT) has voiced strong support for Helon Francis, the 2025 Calypso Monarch, following the disruption of his performance at Dimanche Gras on Carnival Sunday night.

ESCTT described the interruption as “strange” and questioned whether it was politically motivated. The Committee noted that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Barry Padarath, had reminded the public that Dimanche Gras is a State-sponsored event, but cautioned against interpreting State support as State control.

The disruption occurred as Francis performed lines addressing censorship and social issues:
“Tell me where, tell me where else can we go
If they try to ban de words in meh calypso?
…You could try to stop social media
Or de taping of police murders
You could rewrite a Bill like de ZOSO
But don’t forget, dis is Trinbago!”

Viewers at home and across the diaspora expressed confusion and concern over the interruption. Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) later apologised, attributing the incident to a “connectivity Dante technical error”. ESCTT is calling on the TTT Board to launch an independent investigation to reassure citizens that no political interference occurred.

The Committee also criticised remarks reportedly made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who described the calypso as “divisive” and suggested that previous political interference in the art form had alienated the population. ESCTT argued that calypso is not intended to entertain alone but serves as a vehicle for storytelling, critique, and social commentary, citing Professor Gordon Rohlehr’s recognition of the genre’s traditional functions including affirmation, protest, satire, and praise.

Concerns over censorship have been heightened following reports that during a livestream on WACK 90.1 FM, a man whispered, “we muted Helon’s mic on TTT,” and that WACK’s livestreaming platform was subsequently shut down. ESCTT suggested this may indicate the influence of “unaccountable elites.”

The Committee urged the Office of the Prime Minister to apologise for the perceived denigration of the calypso art form and emphasised the need for leaders to engage meaningfully with youth and cultural issues.