00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says the social activist Alyssa Phillip has been charged with being a leader of
00:06a march and failing to call on participants to disperse after being warned by the police.
00:12Ms. Phillip, who was arrested in Fisabad during Labor Day observances on Friday, has also been charged with disorderly behavior
00:19and resisting arrest.
00:20Another participant in what is being deemed an illegal procession by the TTPS, Camille Carrasquero, has also been charged for
00:28being present at a march and failing to disperse when ordered to do so by the police, obstructing a police
00:34officer and resisting arrest.
00:36The TTPS said on Saturday that the trade union movement applied for and received the requisite permission to stage their
00:43annual Labor Day street procession, which took place on Friday in accordance with Sections 112, 113 and 114 of the
00:51Summary Offences Act.
00:53However, the police service said that a social activist and a small group of followers who were not members of
00:58the trade union movement attempted to join the procession.
01:01The TTPS further said, quote, police officers verified with the trade union organizers that the group was not part of
01:08the authorized procession, spoke directly with the leader of the activist group and explained that they were not covered under
01:16the trade union's permit.
01:18Their participation would constitute a separate public march requiring its own permit under the law.
01:23Their actions could jeopardize the lawful holding of the Labor Day procession, which the TTPS is obligated to safeguard, end
01:31quote.
01:31The TTPS added, quote, despite this clear explanation, the group proceeded to form and participate in an unauthorized procession at
01:39the rear of the lawful march, end quote.
01:41TV6 News spoke via telephone with Michael Anneset, one of the trade union leaders involved in the Labor Day procession.
01:47I want to point out that the handful of people from Hugu was participating with our group, which is the
01:58Semen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union.
02:01That is all that I'm prepared to say.
02:04And then it was done peacefully.
02:06They were welcomed by the Semen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union, which is part of the procession.
02:14And I want to remind the general public that I have the general secretary of the National Trade Union Center,
02:21who was part of the organizing committee for Labor Day 2026.
02:28Mr. Anneset added to his initial response to the statement by the police service.
02:44The TTPS said the activist group in question did not give notice of a meeting, nor did they apply for
02:50or receive a permit for a march,
02:51and added their actions, therefore felt squarely within the statutory definition of an unlawful public march.
02:59The TTPS said Police Commissioner Alistair Guevaro, alongside Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander,
03:05senior officers and second division officers of the TTPS attended the Labor Day celebrations in Faisabad
03:11and thanked those who cooperated with the police.
03:22The OWTU announced on Saturday that the trade union movement will be hosting a press conference on Sunday to reflect
03:30on what happened on Labor Day.
03:32Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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