Lead Editor - Newsgathering
A video circulating of an elderly man being taunted by another man for wearing a PNM jersey is being condemned.
The video, approximately 20 seconds long, is shot in the first person, with the person holding the camera shouting at the man in the Tunapuna Market.
“Watch this mother *expletive*,” the man says, as the elderly man walks away from him and takes a seat.
“PNM jersey in the market. Watch the market. People can’t even self buy *expletive* goods, he wearing PNM jersey. This little *expletive* Rowley supporter.”
The camera then zooms into the man’s face as the person recording asks who knows him. He then tells the man to “take off that jersey and walk on it,” cursing him again. Then the video cuts off.
According to the Constitution, every citizen has the right to join political parties and express political views. The only restriction on wearing political party gear is on election day, within 100 feet of a polling station.
The PNM Women’s League called out the account creator, “shakstar 296,” for violating that and other sections of the Constitution, including the freedom of thought and expression.
“As citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, we must collectively work to uphold the dignity, rights, and freedoms of every individual, as outlined in our nation’s Constitution. As for this account creator, we pray for your mental well-being and want you to know that we are NOT (sic) afraid of wearing our PNM T-shirts,” the Women’s League said in its statement.
It said it stood united in rejecting all forms of bullying and discrimination, ensuring a society where democracy and respect for human rights thrived. They said true democracy was upheld when every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, could express their views freely and contribute to national discourse without fear or harassment.
The video was also swiftly condemned by NTA leader Gary Griffith, who called for calm and a lowering of tensions.
“The NTA wants to remind all citizens that, as we soon go to the polls, we can be political opponents but never enemies, and that we must always be guided by the principles of democracy, which condemn political violence and thuggery,” Griffith said in a statement.
“In that regard, we also urge the public not to fall victim to the dangerous and divisive rhetoric of those who aspire to lead.”
He said calling for people to be burnt and using derogatory names against women, as seen in the comment sections on social media, goes against the country’s long and distinguished history of political tolerance.
Also concerned about the video, political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonauth said, “Party leaders have placed their supporters on notice to be ready for the election at any time. It is not surprising, therefore, that supporters will start parading with their party colours and symbols. That is their right, and being the free, democratic country that we live in, we must respect each other’s rights, and any notion to undermine or curtail such rights must be rejected and condemned.”
Ragoonauth is also the head of the Council of Ethical Political Conduct. However, according to the code, which the parties signed, the council cannot make any pronouncements three months prior to the election. The council can make statements once the election is called.
Guardian Media sent the video to UNC PRO Dr Kirk Meighoo for comment, but he did not respond up to press time.