Acting Commissioner of Police, McDonald Jacob has commended the organisers of Saturday’s march at the Queen’s Park Savannah for Complying with Public Health Regulation.
Jacob thanked the organisers of “The Worldwide Rally to Freedom” march for their cooperation with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), during the event.
The march took place at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain between 2 pm and 5 pm. Police estimate that around 90 persons participated in the march, which was led by Mr. Umar Abdullah.
The participants complied with the guidelines stated by CoP Ag. Jacob in the document granting permission for the march. The crowd made three laps around the Queen’s Park Savannah in a peaceful and organised manner.
Acting Commissioner Jacob also thanked the police officers who were called off of leave to supervise the event to ensure compliance with Public Health Regulations.
The incident-free event was hosted under the banner of The Worldwide Rally to Freedom.
Speaking with reporters before the start of the march, Abdullah said: “We are in solidarity with the rest of the world as every country is suffering as a result of these lock-downs and mandates. Governments all over the world have taken a turn and they are doing things that are very surprising to the population.
“Similarly, here in T&T, we are noticing and witnessing a lot of issues in our systems, and we are hoping that by coming out like this and walking, is a significant example of what freedom is all about.”
Abdullah was granted permission by acting Police Commissioner Mc Donald Jacob to host the symbolic event which ended at 5 pm.
Commending the organisers and participants for obeying the law and the public health regulations, Jacob said yesterday was a perfect example of what can be achieved when citizens work with law enforcement.
“When persons work hand in hand with the law, they can get the opportunity to exercise freedom of expression without being interrupted,” he said
Jacob commended the officers involved in the exercise, some of whom had been recalled from leave to assist in maintaining law and order. He described the interaction between officers and participants as positive, disciplined and cooperative.
Asked about the message they wanted to send to the authorities following the march, Abdullah said: “We want to show our government that we are dissatisfied. We do not want you out of power but we want you to listen to the people. We want you to understand what we are saying.”
He said issues were affecting various sectors including health, education, and the economy since the pandemic began which had led to more than 1,000 businesses having to close.
“You are hurting the economy. You are hurting our homes and our families are suffering as a result of this,” he said, calling for answers and transparency from the government.
Abdullah stressed that the decision to be vaccinated remains a personal choice and was critical of the public sector vaccine policy announced by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
“Our immediate thought is that the Prime Minister extended this because he wanted more time for the numbers to go up because they are not where he wants it,” he said.
Claiming this was yet another attempt to coerce people to take the vaccine, Abdullah said: “Nobody is taking this injection anymore. Those who would have taken it have stopped. They are not taking the second shot, they are not taking the booster. You have to answer why this is happening and why people are hesitant.”
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