On the first day of the State of Emergency, police dispersed worshippers of the El Shaddai Deliverance Ministries after they attempted to hold a prayer session on Harris Promenade, San Fernando.
The officers did not arrest anyone even though they were verbally abused with a premonition that “they will end up with corona and die.”
The members were seen flouting social distancing guidelines as they congregated less than six feet from each other to pray.
Police officers advised them that the gathering was unlawful and against the public health regulations.
But while one officer spoke, a woman in the crowd appeared to get a convulsion, rocking back and forth with her eyes turned up in her head. The police quickly formed a line to keep the gathering in check. Then one woman suddenly screamed out loud and fellow worshippers gathered around her.
They began lying down on their backs next to each other on the ground.
“Even though we leave here today, El Shaddai must be known,” a woman shouted. “Strength, strength, strength,” another added.
“Jesus does manifest in people, Just as demons manifest, so too does angel,” another one exclaimed. The police stood their ground.
A man who identified himself as Apostle Lincoln Doughty then singled out Express photographer Trevor Watson shouting, “Watson, I am Apostle Lincoln Doughty. Watch every one of those faces, every single officer will end up with Corona and die. Thus said the Lord.”
He added, “I have an email here that I send to Rowley to shut down the country from 6 pm to 6 am. Let the whole nation go into prayer and fast. All the grocery, everything must shut down. He did not listen. They are going to feel the full wrath of judgement. Eight others will go with him. If I lie, I lie after God. The Prime Minister is not obeying the law of the Bible.”
Doughty pointed to a man in the crowd saying, “That Rastaman was lying flat in Caura and he walk out of there after they cover him with a sheet.”
The police marched in a line warning the crowd to disperse.
“Doh touch me you know. If you feel you will touch me, we will get the victory. I used to do mischief with criminals. Look I still alive. I never get a case,” he added.
A senior police officer said they had to handle the matter diplomatically because arresting the leader would have escalated the situation.
Videos of the incident were sent to Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.
Public gatherings have been banned since April and appeals have been made for citizens to stay home as the government announced there was no more bed space at the parallel health care system.
Trinidad and Tobago was placed on a State of Emergency on Saturday and Prime Minister Rowley said people who fail to comply with the regulations will be stopped by force of the law.