The new political Alliance of HOPE, National Transformation Alliance and Congress of the People will make its debut at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Parliament’s Cenotaph today.
Today the nation observes the 34th anniversary of the 1990 attempted coup by the Jamaat al Muslimeen led by Imam Yasin Abu Bakr with a series of events in honour of those who lost their lives and those whose lives were forever impacted by the day.
Imam Yasin Abu Bakr died on October 21, 2021.
The new political alliance is calling on the Government, especially in light of what it labelled a “so-called coup which was foiled within the SSA,” as revealed by the Prime Minister, to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry. The Commission of Enquiry into the events of the insurrection was established on September 6, 2010, and the report was delivered on March 14, 2014.
The political alliance has called for the following recommendations to be implemented:
• Upgrading the nation’s security architecture for the safety and security of citizens.
• Issuing Medals of Honour to the many men and women who bravely rendered yeoman service at the time of the country’s need and in the face of personal hardship and danger to themselves.
• Memoralising July 27 as a Day of National Significance, not a holiday, but a day for reflection on the significance of keeping strict vigilance in protecting T&T’s democracy, while embracing and enhancing patriotism in schools by honouring the national flag and anthem and serving as a time of catharsis amidst the chaos that threatens to envelop the country.
• Media guidelines in times of national crisis
According to a statement, activist Wendell Eversely will continue his annual, often solo walk from Arima to Port-of-Spain beginning at 5 am. Eversely has been a fierce critic of almost every government since the attempted coup, accusing them of not doing enough to support the victims. His walk ends at the Eternal Flame at the Parliament building where he will lay a wreath.
“As we reflect on this significant milestone in our history, it is crucial that we honour and remember the pivotal role played by the former president and prime minister ANR Robinson in safeguarding our democracy during the attempted coup,” Eversely said. “And we do not forget those who lost their lives, the hostages in Parliament, TTT and Radio Trinidad. Also, ANR Robinson’s steadfast leadership and resolute call to ‘ATTACK WITH FULL FORCE’ exemplified his dedication to preserving our democratic institutions.”
The Parliament has opened the Cenotaph, located north of the Red House at Knox Street as the dedicated space for the commemoration of the coup from 6 am and 6:30 pm today.
On Monday, President Christine Kangaloo will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph alongside the presiding officers of the Parliament of T&T. According to the Parliament, the laying of wreaths will be preceded by a procession comprising officers of the Parliamentary Police Unit, followed by the playing of the Last Post by a bugler of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and a minute of silence.