A Legal Notice now restricts the public from protesting within 500 metres of 15 key public buildings.
Police say the legislation is vital to maintaining national safety, particularly during the current State of Emergency.
Speaking at a TTPS Media Briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on Thursday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Curt Simon explained the move is in a bid to protect the public, public spaces, and the citizenry at large.
Noting that the country is still under a State of Emergency, ACP Simon said the legislation also protects police officers and those who choose to engage in protests.
“These places are the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Office of the President of Trinidad and Tobago, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Diplomatic Centre, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Homeland Security, the Headquarters of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Headquarters of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, the Headquarters of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Piarco International Airport, the ANR Robinson International Airport, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Mr. Simon called on the public to cooperate with officers while on duty.
“While we respect your right to protest, we ask that you also understand that we are here to police and to police fairly, and to police justly, to police within the ambits of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. We really want to thank you for cooperating with us, and we hope that even in going through this set of affairs that are now currently facing us, that we can do so, really, in a respectable manner, pleasing to all.”
ACP Simon noted the decision was made prior to a planned protest in front of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin defended the police’s actions at that protest, saying he believes the officers acted fairly and professionally.
“We spoke to those who were in charge letting them know what is required. This is a silent protest. This is one where we believe that when we say that, we are saying that at least there should be no chanting. When we say these things, it’s not that you should not speak necessarily, but we are saying that there should be no chanting, no loud speaking. There should be no audible communication in terms of loudspeakers et cetera. These things were explained, and, again, persons started to violate those conditions, they were warned, and after being warned, then actions were taken accordingly.”
DCP Benjamin said that while the public has constitutional freedoms, they must still operate within the limitations of the law.