Despite claims by UNC activist Victor Roberts that a march he applied for was denied by the police, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has stated that conditional approval was indeed granted to Roberts for a public march carded for December 10th 2022 from Palo Seco to San Fernando.
It said upon receipt of the application for a permit for the activity on December 2nd, 2022, the said application was duly processed and conditional approval granted prior to the scheduled date.
According to a statement by the TTPS, conditional approval was granted because the applicant had sought to use a music truck during the march, but did not at the time have the necessary permits to operate such at the time of the application.
They said efforts to communicate the conditional approval to Mr. Roberts via telephone and through a colleague however, proved futile.
As part of further efforts to contact the applicant, the release said a police vehicle was sent to his home to inform him that the conditional approval had been issued. This course of action also proved futile.
The TTPS was subsequently informed that the applicant had cancelled the march and had intentions of holding it in January 2023.
Roberts’ attorney Kiel Taklalsingh said during a press conference on Sunday that he planned to challenge the law which stipulates that those seeking to march against oppression must seek permission from their “oppressors,” after noting Roberts had been denied permission to stage his protest.
Taklalsingh is suing the state and Attorney General Reginald Armour, the TTPS, acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob and individual officers for the alleged infringement of the activist’s rights.
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