Horns tooted in support along the way. Drivers slowed down to "macco." Some came out on the sidewalk to look, several waved, though most simply stared. There were no immediate signs of them coming out yesterday to actually join former PNM leader Patrick Manning and his supporters as they embarked on a "March for Democracy." It was the first of his seven-day walk from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando. "We represent the CEPEP workers who have been unfairly dismissed, the URP workers, those in the HYPE, MUST and OJT programme...we represent the dispossessed and people who have been unfairly dealt with by Government," Manning said as he set off.
At his side was his wife Hazel (in pink) and a couple 100 supporters from his San Fernando East constituency, plus a sprinkling from other constituencies. Starting at 3.30 pm from Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, Manning proceeded down Frederick Street then east into the Eastern Main Road to San Juan.
A cancer survivor and "veteran" of several cardiac issues, Manning, 64, completed the four-and-a-half mile trek in 80 minutes, arriving at 4.50 pm. Looking slim and dressed in jogging pants, polo shirt and cap, Manning set the pace in a brisk trot to the rhythms of a drum squad. Manning said his suspension from Parliament was done in a high-handed manner without adherence to the principle of natural justice and contrary to the Constitution.
Saying he empathised with those in similar circumstances, Manning added: "What you see happening to me in Parliament has been happening to other citizens all over and they have been seeking for sometime, some kind of voice to articulate it. This situation has given us the opportunity to do so on their behalf." Out of the 11 other PNM MPs, only MP Alicia Hospedales was seen alongside former MPs Gary Hunt, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and Ralph Maraj. Hospedales, who kissed Manning, said she had come out to support the cause. MP Amery Browne who said Tuesday he had been "seriously considering" participating, was not seen along the march. However, other PNMites claimed he "joined" the walk "several blocks before the Croisee." Browne did not respond to calls for clarification.
MP Pat McIntosh who also said she might have gone to Knox Street to see Manning off, said yesterday she had started to get dressed to go but had "fallen ill." When Manning was asked how he felt that the majority of his fellow MPs did not participate, he shrugged it off with a smile, as he did questions on whether he had spoken to PNM leader Keith Rowley about the initiative.The march began on the Red House's eastern end where supporters congregated. Curious onlookers lined the Red House's balcony as well as outside of the Hall of Justice. Outside the National Security Ministry, adviser Roy Augustus stood watching the PNMitites and Manning as he passed.
Manning elicited stares and some smiles of support (as well as of surprise and amusement) passing through downtown Port-of-Spain to the loud heralding beat of his drummers. He waved to passersby who called out to him. Outside of city, he stopped for a waterbreak near Beetham Estate. As the group of red-clad PNMites moved along, an amplified announcement indicated that the former prime minister was walking through the area and urged citizens to come out and join the march. Several waved as Manning passed, though most stared, unheeding of the appeal. "We want you back," one man called out, near Success Village, Laventille.
Manning arrived at the Croisse, streaming perspiration and beaming broadly, to congratulations from his supporters. He said he had much more to say on conclusion of the march. Yesterday, while PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said he did not "get any feedback" that PNM leader Keith Rowley was upset about Manning's initiative, Ford said there was no official sanction of the march by the party. He added: "But people are free to go. The leadership hasn't discussed it or spoken to Manning about it."
Today's leg of the walk starts from San Juan at 3 pm, going east to the Uriah Butler Highway.