Locked out Woodford Square

Previously, the corporation had agreed to a request by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj who led the march, to use the square to end his eight-day anti-smelter march from Chatham, Cedros, then changed its mind.

When contacted yesterday, Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown denounced the accusations stating that the square was partially closed to facilitate the pruning of trees on the western side, and he didn’t want to take the risk of branches falling on pedestrians.

When asked why was this being done at this time, Brown said: “There is access to the square. That has nothing to do with the Ramesh’s march.”

Defending the corporation’s refusal to the marchers to use the square yesterday Brown said: “It is ironic that during the reign of his (Ramesh Maharaj) administration, when Hector McLean was the Speaker, the policy was instituted. It stated then, that there should be no activity in the square that would disturb the sitting of Parliament or the Senate and that has remained ever since. Nothing has changed.”

Brown added that McLean back then had written to the corporation expressing his preference for no amplified sounds to be allowed in the square, to disturb the sitting of the House. He said: “The Speaker has control of the precincts of the House and once the House and the Senate are in session there shall be no disturbance, and Maharaj is very cognisant of that fact.”

Brown further stated that anytime permission is being sought for the use of the square, the corporation always advise applicants to seek clearance with the Speaker first.

He added that the reason permission was initially granted to Maharaj was because the House was in recess at the time.

On learning of yesterday’s sitting however, Maharaj was asked to guarantee the Speaker that there will be no disturbance of the session. But Brown said the Speaker got no such guarantee therefore permission was denied for the use of the Square.