作者： admin

In a recent column titled ‘Opposition to Garvey’s Visit’ published in Newsday on October 16, 2025, UWI historian Jerome Teelucksingh sheds light on the resistance faced by Marcus Garvey during his planned visit to Trinidad in 1928. Teelucksingh highlights the objections raised by the Trinidad Guardian and the legislative council, predominantly composed of the elite class, who blocked Garvey’s entry. This move was met with criticism from trade union leaders such as Arthur Cipriani and Timothy Roodal, who voiced their dissent against the decision. While Teelucksingh briefly mentions Garvey’s eventual visit to Trinidad in 1937, he omits details about the reception he received during that time. Notably, The People, an Afrocentric newspaper, commented that Garvey ‘appears to have little sympathy for the poor.’ This observation aligns with Garvey’s broader ideological stance, as he was known to oppose American trade unions, famously stating that ‘the only convenient friend the Negro worker or labourer has at the present time is the white capitalist.’ This perspective likely influenced his interactions with Trinidadian trade unionists, who may have been unaware of his nuanced views beyond his black activism. Kevin Baldeosingh, in his historical account of 20th-century Trinidad titled ‘From Colony to Curse,’ suggests that Garvey’s Trinidadian supporters were largely unfamiliar with his broader ideological positions, which may have contributed to the mixed reception of his visit.

In a span of less than ten minutes on the evening of October 16, two food vendors in Chaguanas and Freeport fell victim to brazen robberies carried out by armed assailants. The incidents, which occurred at 10:55 pm and 11:04 pm respectively, involved suspects who fled the scenes in a similar silver-colored vehicle, raising questions about a possible connection between the crimes.

In the first robbery, a 43-year-old man from Trincity was targeted while he was at Darwish Arabian and Local Cuisine along the Chaguanas Main Road. Three men emerged from a silver Nissan AD Wagon, with one brandishing a firearm and another wielding a cutlass. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over the cash register, which contained an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects quickly returned to their vehicle and sped away.

Just nine minutes later, a 34-year-old food vendor from Chase Village was approached by three men while conducting sales along Southern Main Road. One of the assailants was armed with a gun, and they demanded cash and valuables. The victim was searched, and $300 was taken from his pockets before the suspects escaped in a waiting silver wagon.

Authorities from the Chaguanas and Freeport Police Stations, including PC Mendoza and PC Dickson, are actively investigating the incidents. However, the police have not yet confirmed whether the two robberies are linked. The use of similar vehicles and the proximity in time and location have sparked speculation about a coordinated effort by the perpetrators.

A 38-year-old attorney, Shalini Dhanipersad, appeared virtually before Master Kaleisha Ambrose Persadsingh in the South Masters Court on October 16, facing ten counts of fraud. The charges include five counts related to forged valuation reports and five counts involving falsified Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) invoices. Dhanipersad, a resident of Mc Bean Village, Couva, was granted bail set at $250,000 with a surety and is scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on November 13. The charges were filed under Section 9 (I) of the Forgery Act, Chapter 11:13. The allegations stem from incidents on January 27, 2023, when Dhanipersad allegedly submitted forged documents at the Stamp Duty Section of the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) in Port of Spain. The documents included five forged valuation reports, purportedly prepared by two chartered valuation surveyors and a property consultant, concerning properties in Mc Bean Village and Endeavour, Chaguanas. Additionally, she is accused of submitting forged WASA invoices, one of which falsely indicated an outstanding balance of $108, while the actual invoice showed a balance of $9,857.50. These documents were allegedly used to support draft deeds of conveyance for lands in Couva and Chaguanas. The charges were laid by Adesh Ramdeo, a Criminal Tax Investigator at the BIR’s Criminal Tax Investigation Unit. The State was represented by Cpl Mohess, while defence attorney Taradath Singh appeared for Dhanipersad.