Neonatologist Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne yesterday questioned the silence from some of the “usual suspects,” such as trade unions, activists, and groups like Fixin’ T&T, on the issues facing T&T.
Manning-Alleyne, sister of former prime minister Patrick Manning, was in Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain, yesterday handing out copies of the national pledge. She wore a sandwich board, whose placards read: “Silence?” and “Enough Already!”
In an interview, Manning-Alleyne said she had been having a difficult time counselling the mothers of young children because there were no proper examples for them to follow.
“I am looking at the effect on children of the issues facing this country,” she said.
She said parents would tell their children how to behave, then watch news where the opposite would be taking place.
“Silence is being taken as a form of consent,” she said. “Where are the people who usually have a lot to say? A lot of the people who are usually vocal have gone quiet.”
She said the unions had been silent as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Fixin’ T&T and others.
“I can’t hear them. What about Transparency International? Do they still exist?
Manning-Alleyne said she had decided to take a stand and came out to question the silence.
She said she hoped her actions would stimulate thought and consciousness among the people she interacted with.
Asked to name specific issues, Manning-Alleyne declined, but said the issues were all in the news and the public was being bombarded with matters of interest.
“I don’t see anyone else making the news but the politicians,” she commented.
Manning-Alleyne said she would be returning to Woodford Square next Friday.
Asked why she chose that location, Manning-Alleyne said: “As a child I got wet marching in the rain in Woodford Square for this country’s independence.
“Woodford Square is the seat of democracy in this country.”