Stifling legitimate dissent

THE EDITOR: Apparently it is a greater crime to march against crime than it is to kidnap, murder, rob or rape. At least, if one is to judge from the Police reaction to two major marches against crime in recent times. “Marching without police permission is against the law, and the police will not tolerate that.” So says the Commissioner of Police and proceeds to have innocent marchers arrested while criminals remain on the loose to terrorise and intimidate the nation. And the Minister of National Security says that the marchers will be dealt with by the courts. The marchers? What abut the criminals? When will they be dealt with by the courts? Or, more pertinently, when will they be arrested? Strange that the police do not say that they will not tolerate kidnapping and murder.

When forces of the state are being used to stifle legitimate dissent, the nation has begun the descent into tyranny. But what do you expect from a Prime Minister who refuses to recognise that he represents the nation of Trinidad and Tobago and insists on wearing his balisier tie to all official functions. And seemingly expects the same from his sycophants, judging from the fact that they all do the same. And who uses the national Parliament to launch a diatribe against a fellow member. We really thought he had more class than that. She put him to shame by her magnanimous yet determined stance. The Prime Minister needs to take stock of himself while there is still time.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH
Carapichaima