Tempers flare outside Parliament

Princes Town MP Barry Padarath rallies parents and students of Princes Town Presbyterian Primary School No 1 in a protest about the conditions of the school and a shift system for classes, outside Parliament on Friday. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB
Princes Town MP Barry Padarath rallies parents and students of Princes Town Presbyterian Primary School No 1 in a protest about the conditions of the school and a shift system for classes, outside Parliament on Friday. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB

UPDATE:

TEMPERS flared outside Parliament yesterday when two groups of protesters clashed as government ministers and members of the opposition arrived for the sitting of the Lower House. Just before Parliament began sitting, Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar came out to meet with protesters and was met with a combination of cheers and jeers.

Speaking to reporters, she said it was merely a demonstration of democracy in action and both groups were entitled to their own opinions. However, the groups had to be separated as tensions rose between government supporters and UNC loyalists. Guard and Emergency police kept close watch.

Opposition MP Barry Padarath rallied support from disgruntled parents and students of the Princes Town Presbyterian Primary School No 1, who said the children have been languishing in substandard facilities and were unable to receive a proper education owing to the shift system they currently use. He also called on Education Minister Anthony Garcia to come forward and give parents and teachers a clear answer as to when the school will be rebuilt.

“This has been an ongoing saga for over two years. Government in February said that the school will be rebuilt. One year later, on January 19, the minister changed his tune and said the school was not a priority of the government.

“Today we are brought one step closer, and we intend to keep up this call to build the school. We are prepared to do whatever it takes legally to get this school built. We will continue and increase our protest both in Princes Town and here at the Parliament, even if it takes us to the Prime Minister’s office and the Education Ministry.”

Padarath’s remarks were interrupted by jeers from counter-protesters supporting the government. The tensions escalated as both groups increased in number and took to the walkway just outside the entrance, where they hurled insults at each other. This prompted police to drive back both groups. Before long, both sets of protesters dispersed.

A man vents his feelings as groups in support of the government and the opposition squared off with each other outside the Parliament in Port of Spain.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Tempers flared outside Parliament as two groups of protesters clashed as government ministers and members of the opposition arrived for this afternoon's sitting of the Lower House.

Just before Parliament was called to order, Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar came out to meet with protestors and was met with a combination of cheers and jeers. Persad-Bissessar spoke to reporters and said it was merely a demonstration of democracy in action and said both groups were entitled to their own opinions.

However both groups had to be separated and driven back from each other, as tensions rose between government supporters and UNC loyalists. Officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch of the police service were called in to keep a close vigil on the situation.

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