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Trinidad and
Tobago, W.I.
- The
Southern
Marines
Steel Band
Foundation
of Marabella
is amongst
the Small
Steelbands
practicing
hard to take
the title of
Small band
Champions
2011.
Somehow we
are starting
to believe
that there
is a plot by
somebody or
body of
People - to
distract our
members from
their set
goal.
The last
time I
raised this
issue, I was
given the
assurance
that the
matter would
be dealt
with, and we
should
continue our
rehearsals
without
fear. But
today, I do
have some
reservations.
Again
last night
March 1st,
two nights
before the
National
Small Bands
Finals, the
Police in
the person
of officer
Cupid and
another who
did not give
his name, is
intimidating
our
membership
by insisting
that we are
breaking the
Law, and
that we must
have a
permit
giving us
permission
to assemble
to beat
drums.
Now my
difficulty
lies in the
fact that
since the
first set of
harassment
some weeks
ago, no one
informed us
on the facts
of the
Police
claim. We
are starting
to believe
that we are
being
targeted.
When five or
more Police
Officers in
a district
start to
warn and
threaten you
over your
action,
isn’t it
time for
concern? But
what are we
doing?
Playing the
National
Instrument;
preparing to
represent
our area in
the National
Panorama,
which we
believe to
be something
worthy of
compliments.
Please, I am
asking again
for someone
in authority
to give us
the
assurance
that we are
not being
targeted for
harassment,
and that we
are not
breaking the
Law. This
situation is
having an
adverse
effect on
the minds of
our youthful
membership,
who are
expressing
reservations
with coming
on the road
for
Carnival... and
Southern
Marines is
bringing Mas
in 2011.
Please,
somebody,
tell us: what
is the
policy on
the playing
of the
National
Instrument
of Trinidad
and Tobago?
We want no
war with the
Police, but
we also
don't want
any officer
taking it
upon him or
herself to
try and stop
our Freedom
of
Expression.
Last year
the Police
stopped the
band from
playing
music three
hundred
yards from
our Pan
Theater, on
our way
home. If we
know that
this is
likely to
happen
again, we
will scrap
the Mas and
not come on
the Roads.
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