00:00It was July 27, 1990, when Trinidad and Tobago was thrust into six days of ruthlessness, fear, and uncertainty.
00:11During its course, some 24 lives were lost as members of the Jamaat al-Muslimin launched an armed attempt to
00:19overthrow the democratically elected government.
00:27The session of Parliament was underway when the seat of democracy itself faced a deadly attack.
00:33The Prime Minister, Arthur N.R. Robinson, and his government ministers were taken hostage.
00:40Stamped me on my face while I lay on the floor.
00:45The only TV station, Trinidad and Tobago Television, TTT, was seized as the country was plunged into crisis.
00:54Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you that at about 6 p.m. this
01:01afternoon, the government of Trinidad and Tobago was overthrown.
01:06Today, 36 years later, many of the buildings that bore witness to those events still stand.
01:13As part of this year's anniversary observance, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Museum, in partnership with Parliament,
01:22has launched a series of guided tours aimed at preserving the memory of what happened and those who never made
01:29it home.
01:30The tour begins at Parliament before moving through the grounds of the former police headquarters on Sackville and St. Vincent
01:38Streets.
01:39Along the route, visitors stop at the memorial honoring Assistant Superintendent Roger George
01:45and the first to be killed, police officer Solomon McLeod.
01:51They were among the fallen officers during the attempted coup.
01:55They also visited the archway where McLeod lost his life, hear the accounts of officers wounded while defending police headquarters,
02:04and explore exhibits and archival photographs inside the police museum, documenting the events of July 1990.
02:13Museum officials say the initiative is about ensuring history is neither forgotten nor repeated.
02:20while recognizing the role played by the police service, the Parliament, the Defence Force, and other state agencies in restoring
02:29constitutional order.
02:31The commemorative program will culminate on July 31st with a screening of Code 727,
02:38a documentary telling the story of police officers who defended Parliament and police headquarters during the siege.
02:46For many, the buildings may now stand silent.
02:50But 36 years on, they remain powerful reminders of the cost of defending democracy
02:57and of the 24 lives forever linked to one of the most defining chapters in Trinidad and Tobago's history.
03:05The guided tours continue on July 24th and again on July 29th and 30th
03:12with Code 727, a documentary scheduled to be screened at Parliament on July 31st.
03:19Arvishi Tawari Ruknarein, TV6 News.
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