CHARLES KONG SOO
Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) Leader David Abdulah says the Carenage community is still traumatised after the recent shooting incident involving the police on May 3, that claimed the life of 14-year-old Naomi Nelson and two others.
He was speaking to reporters before the beginning of the group’s march for peace and justice in front of Republic Bank, Glencoe, to the new Fish Market in Carenage.
The walk began with a modest group of friends of Naomi, community members, supporters and MSJ members complete with police escort.
Abdulah said “When I visited the community of Big Yard on the Sunday afterward, speaking with family, residents, and friends, they indicated the pain, suffering, and grief that they were feeling, and in some cases a lot of anger too about the violence two Fridays ago, but also generally the problems and conditions in Carenage.
“Kizzy Monsegue one of the MSJ activists from Pt Cumana and I visited the areas in Sea View Road, Upper Hague Street, Lanse Mitan, Scorpion Alley, Smith Hill, and Big Yard Thursday and listened to the residents.
“Unless young people have a sense of hope in T&T for the future, the problems of them not feeling being part of the society will continue to create the conditions in which violence develops and crime flourishes.”
He said even though the numbers may be small in the peace walk, the point was that once a few people made a stand and indicated that they were concerned about what was taking place in T&T to let their voices be heard; that was the most important thing.
Kimberly Boisson, 19, a friend of Naomi said it was frightening since the incident she was wary about being outside, just walking out on the road now can be fatal.
She said she was to trying to make a difference because things were getting very bad and she wanted to support and show solidarity to her friend and community.
Boisson said her mother, as well as others, were worried about the safety of their children leaving home and reaching back safely.