00:00Opposition leader Penelope Beckles questioned the government's proposed protest restrictions,
00:05arguing that citizens should be free to demonstrate outside institutions responsible for national decision making.
00:12Imagine that you cannot protest in front of the Ministry of Finance.
00:19You can't protest in front of the Parliament.
00:22And if they're telling you about 500 meters, you can't protest nowhere on Brian Lara Promenade.
00:28You can't walk down Frederick Street.
00:32But what is worse, you can't protest by the airport, Piaqo.
00:39You can't protest people of Tobago by Anna Robinson Airport.
00:44But she's telling you you could protest by 99.7% of the country.
00:49Now, you find that making sense?
00:51Beckles said the proposals raised broader concerns about accountability
00:55and accused the administration of losing touch with struggles of ordinary citizens.
01:01We know it's not easy for you to come and ask for a hamper.
01:06We know it's not easy for you to come and ask for a hamper.
01:11We know it's not easy for you to come and ask for $20 to go in town.
01:16or to come and ask for $200 to go in town.
01:20And we know that when school closes, in the next month or so,
01:26we know it's easy for you to come and beg for school book and school bag.
01:31The opposition leader also criticized the closure of employment and youth programs.
01:37The People's National Movement prioritizes young people.
01:49And Fuster, not talking tonight, but you're talking next night.
01:53Because you need to give Fuster hour to talk about the programs the PNM had for young people.
02:03And this wicked, evil government, as soon as they come into office,
02:10they closed down almost every single program for young people.
02:17I told you before, and I'm going to say it again,
02:21we are going to reopen the CPEP program.
02:30All the programs, the youth agricultural program.
02:36Beckles acknowledged that supporters may have expected more from previous PNM administrations,
02:42but said the party has learned from those experiences and is ready to govern again.
02:47The opposition leader ended her dress by urging supporters to remain hopeful,
02:51saying the party is united and prepared for the next general election.
02:55The darkness of these days are real.
03:00There are many of you here that get up on a daily basis and you ask yourself,
03:05Lord, what did I do to deserve this?
03:09But as night follows day, the People's National Movement will be back in office.
03:20We understand your pain.
03:23We understand your grief.
03:26And we know that it's for the People's National Movement to rescue Trinidad and Tobago.
03:33Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
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