Hundreds launch safety for women petition at PoS vigil

Hundreds of people rallied at Knox Street, Port of Spain, on Friday night for the launch of a petition urging safety measures be enacted, after the murders of Andrea Bharatt, 23, and Ashanti Riley, 18.

The event heard impassioned speeches by several activists urging protesters to keep the faith and urging MPs to act on their concerns. Signatures were collected from attendees while petition sheets were distributed for those who themselves wished to collect signatures.

Among the speakers Kandace Bharath-Nahous hailed Candice Riley, Ashanti Riley's mother, as "one of the strongest souls I've ever met."

Bharath-Nahous urged listeners to call on MPs to do what they can to protect citizens, although lamented that MPs seem to be out of touch with the fears and realities of life of ordinary people. "They do not know the fear every women feel with no choice but to use public transport not knowing if they'll be the next Andrea or Ashanti. No one in the country is safe." She said no one should have to live like this. Saying murder victims were now simply counted as just statistics, she said a sum of 400 murders annually meant a year had more murders than days. "When girls go missing first thing they say is she's with a man. We have to stop saying that.

"You don't know what they are running from."

Bharath-Nahous said that by putting their signature to the petition people will show MPs they want a better country.

"Decide this is not the kind of country you want to live in."

She advised that if little boys don't receive love, they'll not respect a woman. "We are challenging every Trinbagonian to sign this petition. Don't just coast on Facebook. You're doing this for your daughters, sons mothers and fathers," she urged.

Activist Felicia Holder said commentators thought the protests were a nine-day wonder, but the night's turnout showed otherwise. "Despite the rain and the drama, we are still here," she said referring to protesters being barred from rallying within Woodford Square. "One month and one day after Andrea's body was found, we are still here." Holder said she wanted a truck to deliver all the eventual petition sheets to the doors of Parliament.

"Well done for taking a stand. Complacency had allowed things to go on for so long. But thousands of Trinidadians have said we don't want it."

Jodi Mohammed said, "As a woman, a mother, a sister, I'm tired. Nothing works for us.

"We are unsafe in our own home. We are out here tonight to show we want change. Everybody wants change. We will make it happen."

Avonelle Hector, founder of the NGO Is There Not A Cause, said, "We'll not be divided by race nor be used for other people s agendas. "We've had enough. I've had to ask myself, 'Avonelle how bad do you want this thing?'

"We are fighting for the soul of this nation. We'll make a difference."

She said protesters would not burn out.

"There's no better time than now. How bad do you want a better TT?

"We are walking in love. We have just begun. Blessings."

Another woman declared, "We want the world to see we are tired."

Activist and politician Philip Edward Alexander said the next vigil will be held next Friday in central Trinidad.

Alexander invited people to visit the office of the Candlelight Movement at Victoria Square, Port of Spain. "Come and get involved."

He said people who scrambled to get petition forms showed him TT was ready for the change that was needed.

"We'll march from Andrea Bharatt's house to Parliament to present the petition. Today Candice Riley Ashanti's mother, signed our petition."

The petition is seeking easier access to firearm users licences and non-lethal weapons, a commission of inquiry into the criminal justice system, and better regulation of the PH car system and the car licence plate system. The organisers are seeking 100,000 signatures.