PM Manning hints at Chinese holiday in TT

Addressing Emancipation Day celebrations at the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday, the Prime Minister also said TT was a land where prejudices, marginalisation and discrimination have never been tolerated and Government’s Vision 2020 plan is "aimed at transforming our nation into a bigger player in the global community."

Stating that true Emancipation lay "in the spirit of human freedom and justice that must reign in the hearts of men," Manning said Emancipation in TT was a celebration of "all those that have come to our land, struggled and made it through the rain" to develop this country into what it is today.

Noting that the local Chinese community would soon commemorate its 200th anniversary in TT, the Prime Minister said Government would soon have to decide "how best we could commemorate with them and demonstrate our appreciation." However, he added that the exact type of national celebration would be for the Chinese community and the nation to decide.

Manning also said Government’s Vision 2020 plan was not designed to "browbeat any other nation" to give TT nationals the opportunities that people have in the developed nations of the world. While the world will never be free or fair, the Prime Minister declared that this must never stop TT from developing into "a free and fair country," and his administration was committed to achieving this goal.

Manning also said that Emancipation was about the state of mind and "does not always have to do with colour." "Emancipation today is also about improved health care, equality before the law, equal participation in government, empowerment through educational opportunities of our very young children and adults and empowerment through equal rights and justice," he said.

The Prime Minister urged the population to jettison the lingering mental shackles of slavery as TT continues to make its way in an ever-changing world, and to never forget the true meaning of Emancipation.