Marching bands must respect church worship

THE EDITOR: This is an open letter which, it is hoped, might come to the attention of the officer in charge of the marching bands at our recently concluded Independence celebration proceedings.

After the bands paraded in the Savannah, there was a general march past down Tragarete Road with martial music blaring. They passed the Tranquility Methodist Church at the corner of Tragarete Road and Victoria Avenue, and for about 15 to 20 minutes or so the preacher strove valiantly to be heard above the noise of blaring musical instrumental strident drums. He did not succeed very well, for I had little idea of what he was saying. I should mention that in times gone by what was the practice on such occasions was that on approaching a place of worship by a band marching to loud music, the order was given for the music to stop and the march kept in step by taps to a kettle drum until the band was out of earshot. This was done out of respect for divine worship.

In this brave new world of Independence has such niceties gone by the board? Is there no longer any respect for divine worship- whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu or at any place where two or three are gathered to worship their God? What has not changed is that it is still an offence to disturb any place of worship (see section 96 of the Summary Offences Act Chap 11:02) and it is doubted whether the exuberance of Independence celebrations would be a good defence in law. However, it may be that a timely reminder might be enough to impress upon marching bands in future that it is the constitutional right of persons to worship undisturbed which is a right the law can uphold. However, a simple apology from the officer in charge should be enough to re-assure us that this breach of the law was unintended and that in future marching bands will respect places of worship.

GEORGE
COLLYMORE
Cascade