00:00Political tension surrounding recent anti-government protests escalated sharply on Thursday as Prime Minister Kamala Fasan-Bissarza accused the People's
00:08National Movement of encouraging dangerous anti-police sentiment and criminal behavior.
00:14In a fiery statement, the Prime Minister claimed the opposition and what she described as quote-unquote supporters of criminal
00:21gangs were attempting to stir hatred against law enforcement and prosecutors.
00:26Fasan-Bissarza said quote, the PNM's promoting of lawlessness, hatred against law enforcement, racist invective, criminal gang propaganda and mob
00:37intimidation tactics seriously endangers the safety of law-abiding citizens end quote.
00:43The comments come amid heated national debate over protests linked to the 19 bullets, 19 protests movement and the police
00:51killing of Joshua Samaru.
00:52Fasan-Bissarza accused the opposition of trying to normalize criminal behavior saying quote,
00:59It appears that the PNM and supporters of criminal gangs are trying their best to foment hatred against law enforcement
01:05in the hope that it may result in violence against law enforcement officials end quote.
01:10The Prime Minister questioned whether critics would be satisfied if police officers or prosecutors were harmed, warning that the rhetoric
01:18now circulating could have dangerous consequences.
01:21She argued that Trinidad and Tobago descended into disorder because citizens became afraid to challenge what she described as political
01:29and criminal grifters.
01:31Fasan-Bissarza also accused critics of engaging in what she called performative fake outrage, race-baiting and political theatrics while
01:41encouraging disregard for the rule of law.
01:44At the same time, she reaffirmed government support for the police service and prosecutorial officials.
01:50She said quote,
01:51We will ensure that law enforcement members and prosecutorial officers are respected, protected and valued.
01:58The Prime Minister referenced the 2024 murder of Special State Prosecutor Randall Hector,
02:04who was gunned down in front of his family while prosecuting a known gang leader.
02:09She said that case highlights the dangers faced by members of the justice system and defended the police response outside
02:17the DPP's office during Wednesday's protest.
02:20She said quote,
02:21Attempts to intimidate and harass the director of public prosecutions and his staff will not be tolerated, end quote.
02:28Fasan-Bissarza commended the Trinidad and Tobago police service for what she described as swiftly securing the DPP's office and
02:36protecting staff from intimidation and possible harm.
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