Beetham residents move into tent

Living under the tent is a continuation of the protests carried out last Thursday morning and afternoon, when tyres, pieces of wood and a boat belonging to a Beetham resident were set alight on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway and the Priority Bus Route, on the outskirts of Port-of-Spain.

“The community centre is on the front burner of our protests but also the condition of the environment and saving the next generation are our top priority. We are protesting for all round human development,” said resident Sherma Wilson.

“If the Government does not want to help us, we are asking members of the private sector to assist us.” She added that in spite of the previous protests, no one has seen it fit to speak to them about the construction of the centre.

When Newsday spoke to Kareem Marcell, a youth from the area, he said the community centre will help develop the skills of many of the youths in the neighbourhood.

“Youths will be able to pick up a ball and a bat, instead of a gun,” he added. Marcell also said that with the construction of community centre, people may stop stigmatising the Beetham Estate.

Wilson said the tent is her new address as she and a few other residents plan to remain there, even to sleep, until any member of Parliament speaks to them. She added they will not stop their protests unless the community centre is built.