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.

In a series of alarming incidents, armed bandits carried out coordinated robberies in Trinidad, leaving victims traumatized and authorities scrambling for answers. The first incident occurred in Glencoe on the night of October 16, when a 58-year-old man was ambushed on his way home from the Princes Casino at West Mall. At the corner of Rodney Road and Schullere Street, the victim encountered a silver SUV blocking his path. Two masked assailants, one armed with a cutlass and the other with a gun, forced their way into his vehicle, demanding he drive them to his residence. Once there, the bandits tied up the man and his 24-year-old son, ransacked the home, and fled with $11,000 in cash, a high-end iPhone, and the victim’s SUV. The son managed to free himself and his father, prompting a police response that led to the interception of the stolen vehicle in St. James. One suspect is in custody, assisting with the investigation. In a separate but similarly brazen attack the same night, a San Juan woman was robbed in Woodbrook. As she approached her car on Fitt Street, two men accosted her, stealing $25,000 worth of jewelry and $15,000 in gold bracelets before fleeing in a silver Nissan Almera. Authorities are actively pursuing the suspects in both cases, highlighting a concerning trend of violent robberies in the region.

The Tobago Blue Food Festival, an annual celebration of the island’s culinary heritage, is poised to commence on October 19 at the Bloody Bay Recreation Ground. Kern Cown, CEO of the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd (TFCL), unveiled the preparations during a press conference at the Office of the Chief Secretary in Scarborough on October 16. Addressing past logistical challenges, particularly concerning shuttle services and parking, Cown emphasized the commission’s commitment to enhancing the patron experience. Six designated parking zones have been established to accommodate festival-goers, with Parking Zone A located within the venue on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional parking facilities include the Bloody Bay Beach Facility, Carrington Lot, Parlatuvier Community Centre, Parlatuvier Primary School, and the Cyd Gray Complex in Roxborough. Parking will open at 8 am, complemented by shuttle services starting at 9 am. A premium shuttle service from Market Square in Scarborough will depart at 10 am and 10:30 am, while the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) will offer a paid shuttle at noon. The festival promises a vibrant lineup of activities, including a petting zoo, children’s corner, arts and crafts section, food court, and live entertainment. Renowned artists Farmer Nappy and Shurwayne Winchester are set to headline the event, alongside local performers. The festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024, was established in 1998 to honor the versatility of dasheen, a staple root crop in Tobago’s cuisine.

A 25-year-old homeless man was hospitalized after consuming contaminated food and medication found in a cell at the Tunapuna Police Station. The incident occurred on October 15 at approximately 2:30 PM, while the man was being detained. According to a police report, he ingested two paracetamol tablets and stale food remnants left behind by previous inmates. Shortly after consumption, the man experienced severe discomfort and began vomiting. Emergency Health Services (EHS) were immediately contacted, and he was transported to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex for treatment. Medical professionals confirmed that the man was in stable condition but required close monitoring. He was administered medication to detoxify his system and remains hospitalized under police supervision. This incident has raised concerns about hygiene and safety protocols within detention facilities.