1 week ago
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The Independence Day Parade and State-sponsored fireworks have been cancelled to protect top state officials from attack, Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said yesterday.
The two made the announcement at a media conference at the Attorney General’s Office, Port-of-Spain, saying that within the 24 hours before the conference, which was called at 5.30 pm, Government had been advised to cancel the day’s activities.
“The Government’s National Security advice is that the gathering of the President, and all Government and Opposition members, members of the Judiciary, together with a large contingent of the marine, land and air assets of the Defence Force and the TTPS in one location would be unwise at this time. In those circumstances, we ask citizens of T&T, patriots of our dear republic to observe a day of prayer and reflection for the success and prosperity of our great nation,” Hosein said.
It was only on Monday that Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro told the media that the “imminent threat” from the SoE was neutralised. However, Alexander said this should not be interpreted as the situation being dealt with completely.
Asked why the cancellation, given what Guevarro said, Alexander said: “I know sometimes persons don’t understand how threats are measured or a threat level, how it is dealt with. Even if threat levels is lessened, until that threat level is completely destroyed, then the investigations continues. So, to say that the commissioner said what he said and you of your opinion, that that means the end of it all, no, I don’t think that you’re looking at this right, in fairness to you.”
Asked why the entire parade and other accompanying Independence Day functions were cancelled, rather than restructured, given that the United National Congress held its Monday Night Forum without any hiccups, Hosein said the two should not be compared.
“On Monday night we did not have members of the judiciary. We didn’t have all arms of law enforcement in terms of the Defence Force and so on. You can’t compare these two situations for Monday Night Forum and the Independence Day Parade.
“You have to understand, the gathering of the various groups of persons that I outlined at the beginning of my presentation. It’s two different circumstances. When we looked at all of the options, this was the best option available to the Government.”
Following the cancellation announcement, the Opposition People’s National Movement argued that the matter was not a matter of safety, but rather money and the Government’s inability to meet financial obligations.
Asked about this, Hosein said as far as he was aware, no contractors had approached the Government requesting reimbursement. He added that he could not say how much money would be saved by the move.
“No contractors have reached out to us. The Government has taken a very responsible decision with respect in national security. There are two factors that you’re overlooking here. One, the exposure and the risk to the law enforcement officers who are under threat when we declare the State of Emergency and, two, we’re using the savings from these functions with the help we fight against crime.”
Hosein, in justifying the cancellation, said the money saved will be used by the national security members in their crime fight.
The ministers said while the state will not be paying for fireworks, private citizens are also not allowed to use noisy fireworks and must get their permits from the police to use silent fireworks as well. Alexander, at the end of the media conference, said fireworks should be seen and not heard.
Hosein said he had received no information on fireworks importers being upset by the decision and did not want to speak on intended litigation.
In bolstering the point that the fireworks display should be silent, Alexander said the children and animals would be grateful. He added that prior to coming to the media conference, he received numerous thanks for the decision.
“When UNC wins, the animals won. The elderly won. The unborn children won. The newborn babies won, and those who are sick and afflicted lying in bed, they too won.”
He said the banning of loud fireworks was promised in the UNC’s manifesto and it was just fulfilling that promise and called on the public to lend their support.
Meanwhile, Hosein said the Tobago House of Assembly would be responsible for the call on whether it too would follow the Government’s lead in cancelling its Independence Day celebrations.
Public divided on decision
Guardian Media spoke with a handful of citizens on the Government’s decision to cancel Independence Day yesterday. The majority of them were against the decision.
Tobago resident Khadedria Lyons said the decision weakens the day’s celebrations.
“Prayers is very important. We could still do both,” she said.
Lyons’ take on prayer was echoed only by Morvant resident Chrystal Alexander, who said the country needs Jesus and more prayers.
Chaguanas resident Anthony Guy questioned why the parade was cancelled but supported the cancellation of the state-funded fireworks.
“I could understand the fireworks because I never understood spending that kind of money, but why cancel the parade? Every other country does it, that is part of the culture and showing proudness for your country and what we have accomplished.”
Port-of-Spain resident Sydney Lara said the cancellation will have an impact on the nation, but she understood why it was done.
“The nation will feel the effects. We love a lime. The signal for the lime does be the fireworks. I don’t fully agree with it, but I do understand.”
Port-of-Spain resident, Rajendra Gajadhar, said the decision is a smart one, as the country is under a State of Emergency and there is money to be saved by cancelling the parade and fireworks display.
English (US) ·