00:00The planned protest is expected to begin at 3 p.m. and comes less than 48 hours after three people
00:06were arrested along Richmond Street in Port of Spain during a demonstration linked to support for Caya Seeley.
00:14Those arrested are activist Alicia Phillip, her mother Camille Carrasquero, and blogger Jason De Silva.
00:22Speaking during a media briefing at the police administration building in Port of Spain today, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kurt
00:28Simon said Trinidad and Tobago Police Service was aware of Friday's planned protest.
00:33We do encourage persons who are engaging in these actions to perhaps conduct yourselves in the manner that we have
00:41advised, and we have advised you to conduct yourself in a manner that is stated in law.
00:46Simon said the TTPS respected the constitutional right of citizens to protest, but said demonstrations must remain within the law.
00:55We respect your right to protest. We continue saying that. We respect the right of persons to protest. We would
01:03even, perhaps in some instances, welcome it. But we do ask persons to please conduct yourself lawfully.
01:10Simon also advised protesters against the use of loudspeakers or aggressive behavior and called for what he described as a
01:19silent protest.
01:21He warned against persons attempting to provoke confrontations during these demonstrations.
01:27You know, there are persons who come and get into the midst of others and sort of bait a situation,
01:34and we are asking for that to desist also.
01:36We really do implore the public, you know, that if you are coming out there to support an initiative that
01:42is ongoing, that you do so in a very legal and, you know, and well-mannered, perhaps, attitude.
01:51The senior officer said, while not mandatory, organizers should inform police in advance of any planned protests so officers could
02:00make the necessary security assessments.
02:02It is clear in 11a that persons are allowed to protest, but what is clearer is the police responsibility, the
02:13police role in dealing with the protest actions.
02:18It would be wise for persons to inform the police that they are about to conduct a protest, a protest
02:24type, so that the police can have a look at it, because we can pronounce on it.
02:29It's not as though we cannot. The law allows us to pronounce on it.
02:32Simon said police wanted demonstrations to proceed peacefully and without breaches of the law.
02:38Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin also warned against chants or conduct that could incite disorder or violence.
02:46That there should be no chanting.
02:48We are saying that even in terms of the words, it must not be inciting anything that would create that
02:55upheaval and violence,
02:57or even the actions that would cause that sort of thing.
03:01Benjamin said police would intervene where officers believe the protest was escalating beyond control.
03:07Where we find that these situations are coming or would be really getting out of hand,
03:12that is when the police will take the necessary action to ensure law and order at all times within Trinidad
03:19and Tobago.
03:20Alexander Brusual, TV6 News.
03:22We'll see you next time.
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