Gail Alexander
The United National Congress will be challenging the law on protest marches.
Speaking during a press conference hosted by the party at the Office of the Opposition in Port-of-Spain yesterday, attorney Keil Taklalsingh said he intends to challenge the law which stipulates that those seeking to march against oppression must seek permission from their “oppressors.”
Taklalsingh is also suing the state and Attorney General Reginald Armour, the T&T Police Service, acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob and individual officers for the alleged infringement of the rights of UNC activist Victor Roberts, who didn’t get police permission for his planned march in South Trinidad last Sunday.
Taklalsingh said, “(The march) was chosen for that date—International Human Rights Day—and TTPS denied him such rights. So, we’ll launch a legal counterstrike.”
Roberts said he had instructed his attorney to take the necessary action as his constitutional rights were trampled upon.
Roberts said he also intends to do another march on January 13.
Taklalsingh demanded the TTPS give Roberts permission for this when he applies. But Roberts made it clear he intends using his constitutional rights on freedom of movement.
Roberts said he didn’t receive any explanation why the TTPS permission wasn’t obtained for last Sunday’s march. He detailed his efforts and receipt of only acknowledgements of his letters and requests for originals. He said last Friday, he was told by a representative that permission was denied.
Taklalsingh claimed denial was to “prevent Roberts expressing dissent against Government.” He said he’d sue the state to strike down/modify the law where people must get permission from “the oppressors” in order to march against oppression.
He felt the law involving seeking TTPS permission to march was only to have police protection and for marchers, but TTPS, in fact, used the law to “disrupt” the march. Saying TTPS’ job was to protect, serve and uphold the law, he said every officer should be ashamed at what happened with the denial of permission for Roberts.