Beaten COP candidate forgives attackers

“I am hoping I will feel well enough to vote. I just need to get my strength back.” He is also hoping to make an appearance at the COP’s final rally at Woodford Square tomorrow, if only to show supporters he is still in the “fight”.

Speaking from his hospital bed at Mount Hope Hospital, St Clair who celebrates his 42nd birthday today, said he forgives his attackers. “Yes I forgive them. I am here to help them...it is why I got into politics.”

Although he was severely beaten and had to undergo two cat-scans to determine if there was brain damage. St Clair, whose jaw was fractured, disagrees with Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s assertion that violence during this election period was a result of a “blood feud” between the UNC Alliance and COP.

“I don’t think the UNC was behind this attack...I know the UNC candidate for the area and I don’t think she is responsible. We have been friends for a long time,” he said.

“I think the PNM is realising this is the end for them and they can’t afford to let it go like that. They are sensing defeat and are going to fight hard and will try hard to stop defeat from coming,” St Clair added.

Laventille West is considered a PNM stronghold, whose former MP Eulalie James was forced to step down because of health related concerns. She has been replaced by Nai Leung Hypolite.

St Clair refused to name any specific person who might be behind the violence. He also disagreed with the police that there is no evidence of political violence saying he is convinced someone is trying to stop his message as a COP candidate from reaching the masses. He said he was dealing with the issues of single mothers, children’s issues and problems affecting senior citizens.

“Yes I think it is definitely election violence. The people have been responding to my message that if Trinidad and Tobago is to rise then Laventille must rise. I have been driving through Laventille and the Beetham Estate at all hours of the night, I see young people gambling at nights, I meet people who cannot go into each other’s areas for fear of their lives. I have spoken with youths who feel they will be gunned down before they reach 30 years.

“The sense of hopelessness is overwhelming,” he said, adding that he had met a woman with seven children all for different fathers and there was no father around to help her care for the children. “That is what I want to help change,” he added.

St Clair was expected to be discharged from the Mt Hope to be placed at another health facility. Although traumatised, St Clair said there has been no call by his relatives to get out. “They know me better than that, I am not going anywhere.”