Rhondor Dowlat
Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
Under the watchful eyes of members of the T&T Police Service scores of pupils of the Guayaguayare Secondary School held a peaceful protest on Monday morning against violence.
The children dressed in full uniform armed themselves with placards, some of which read: "Spread the Love not Hate," "Respect for all," "Stronger Together" and "Love conquers all."
A teacher at the school said the peace walk was the first annual walk for the school in a bid to promote non-violence throughout the community. Its main message the teacher said was to "stand against violence in the community."
Guardian Media understands that the school's vicinity, the New Lands area, is infested with drugs and drug activities.
A mic announcer who accompanied the pupils on their debut peace walk chanted continuously that all forms of violence must end in its community and that peace is the answer. It also urged all in the community to "Say no to violence."
Some of the pupils indicated that they are fed up with hearing of any kind of domestic violence and school violence. They said that " Love is the key," and there is need for "brother to be helping brother."
They also reiterated their call for the promotion of love, peace and harmony.
The many forms of school violence have been captured mostly on cellphone footage from various schools across T&T and sent viral on social media.