Leaders of the Joint Trade Union Movement and over two dozen members stood on the Brian Lara Promenade yesterday mobilising support for what is being termed the “mother of all marches” expected to take place in just over a month. As pedestrians walked by, union members handed out fliers and engaged a few people in conversation, encouraging them to participate. While some passers-by stood to listen, others grabbed fliers and hustled along the busy streets heading to their destinations.
A public awareness campaign for the protest, which called on citizens to “take a stand for T&T,” was officially launched. Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union Leader Ancel Roget, flanked by Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) president Vincent Cabrera and Trinidad Unified Farmers’Association, Shiraz Khan said the march was important for the future of T&T. “The march which will take place in Port-of-Spain, would be a major public demonstration, Roget said.
“The JTUM has been deliberating for quite a while and we have taken a decision that it is time we bring all the issues to the fore. “It is time we raise the awareness and consciousness of every single person in this country. Some of the issues to be raised are corruption, political victimisation, abuse of power and authority, nepotism and reckless spending. He called the dismissal of former minister of the People Glenn Ramadharsingh “one dismissal short of the whole Government.”
“The whole Government ought to be dismissed,” Roget said. “We are saying that to do nothing is not an option and therefore we have taken the position that every citizen in this country who believes that he or she wants a better T&T, there is an opportunity to make a statement and stand in defence of good governance,” Roget said. Roget said the date of the protest, May 23rd was significant as it would be the day before th People’s Partnership would tell the country that they did a good job.
“It will be the day before they mamaguy the country and celebrate success, which success they alone can celebrate because they have taken T&T backward.” “It is time to take a stand and we are doing it one day before they can celebrate four years ion office. Roget said the JTUM had extended invitations to interest groups and to all of the political parties, including members of the United National Congress (UNC).
“It is not in our interest alone but in the interest of the wider T&T.” The JTUM intends to raise awareness in several communities around the country, including Sangre Grande, Siparia, Penal, Edinburgh 500 and communities in Tobago.