UNC to petition Parliament to have Bas attend sittings

The intention was revealed by Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday when she addressed UNC supporters at Woodford Square following Panday’s re-appearance in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. Panday’s bail was reduced from $750,000 to $650,000, but he said it is unacceptable, and opted to return to jail.

Hundreds of UNC supporters, some armed with UNC posters bearing Panday’s face, had come to town for the court hearing to show solidarity. Just after 10 am, they followed UNC MPs into the square as Panday was being taken back to the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca.

However, as former Ortoire/Mayaro MP Winston "Gypsy" Peters requested that the National Anthem be played from the DJ Lalo truck, and the anthem was being sung, the supporters were agitated by a group of armed police officers who began directing the truck out of the square.

Chaos erupted as Oropouche MP Roodal Moonilal sought an explanation for the police action. When asked by Supt Waldron for a copy of the written permission, Moonilal led the police to nearby City Hall. However, excited and concerned supporters thought that Moonilal was being arrested and accused the police of "victimisation and discrimination" as they followed. They were joined by MPs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Ganga Singh and attorney Prakash Ramadhar.

While the MPs spent several minutes with officials from the City Corporation sorting out the matter, supporters continued to hurl abuses at the police on Knox Street. They insisted that the officers showed no respect for the anthem, walking while the anthem was being sung and that it was a clear case of racism and victimisation against the UNC.

As Oma Panday, daughter Mikela and other supporters waited at the bandstand to proceed with the meeting, a group of persons huddled at the far corner of the square closer to the Red House were heard discussing Panday’s stay in jail and the fact that party chairman Wade Mark was seen in a recent photo with his head on the shoulders of Mrs Panday. Meanwhile, Mark was urging supporters in front of City Hall, declaring, "we will overcome it, let’s move back to the square and show we are a disciplined people."

When Singh and Persad-Bissessar emerged from the mayor’s office at 10.45 am to loud cheers, the rain began to fall. It was deemed showers of blessings, and the speeches were to continue, albeit briefly.

Singh told supporters about the lowering of the bail, saying it was reduced in a "hasty fashion," and noted that Panday opted to remain in jail until "he deems it necessary to make the point there is justice." He said Panday was depending on their continued support.

Persad-Bissessar said Panday sent a message that he "loves each and every one of you and thanks you for the support." She said the law was for everyone, and a person was innocent until proven guilty. She said the bail set for Panday was "unconstitutional, punitive and unconscionable." Saying it was designed to be damaging, Persad-Bissessar accused the PNM of playing a "deadly and devious game" in convening the Lower House more than once a week. She said "for the first time sittings are scheduled for nearly every day." Persad-Bissessar said Panday cannot attend because he is in jail, but she served notice, "that I will petition the Parliament to have the prison authorities bring him to Parliament for every sitting. We demand he must be brought to every sitting," she stressed to loud applause. Persad-Bissessar said Panday must be allowed to fulfil the "constitutional law and his role as Leader of the Opposition." If Panday misses six consecutive sittings of Parliament, his seat can be declared vacant.

Mark said the way things were proceeding one would get the impression the country was for "one set of people." But his message to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, "it belongs to all, Africans, Chinese, Indians all of us. This is not PNM country." He called on supporters to mobilise and be organised so that the party will be ready for the next general elections and that "the UNC will emerge victorious."