HUNDREDS RALLY AGAINST GOVT'S PROPERTY TAXBy COREY CONNELLY Sunday, November 15 2009
A prominent Laventille activist temporarily broke ranks with the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) yesterday in full support of calls for an end to the Government’s proposed property tax regime.
Mc Donald Padmore drew shocked stares from an audience of hundreds gathered at Woodford Square in Port-of-Spain yesterday, saying that although he was a strong supporter of the PNM, he could not support the move to implement a new property tax system.
“I am a supporter of the PNM Government, but when I see certain things taking place I cannot sit down as a voice of the voiceless and ain’t say nothing,” he said.
Padmore was one of a battery of speakers who addressed the issue during the Congress of the People’s (COP) “Axe The Tax” rally.
Likening himself to the proverbial sacrificial lamb, Padmore told the gathering he knew he would be victimised by the party’s hierarchy.
“I know they coming down on me you know,” he said.
“But Jesus Christ never die because he was a bad man. He died because he was good. I know what going on. They will be mad at me. But, I can’t sit down because your belly full and you not studying the hungry man. You eh care about nobody and when people talking all yuh not listening.”
Yesterday’s event, attended by a crowd estimated by police at about 800, culminated from a month-long campaign, which saw walkabouts in several parts of the country.
COP deputy leader Prakash Ramadhar made it clear, however, that while the rally was hosted by the party, it was nationalist in nature.
Padmore said that although the Government’s housing development thrust was directed towards young people, adequate provisions were not being made for them.
“They say they giving the children and them house. You know that these houses will never finish being paid for. Their children children children will be paying for these houses.”
Padmore insisted that he could not sit idly as a member of the PNM while the Government moved steadfastly to pass the bill. The legislation for the proposed system is expected to be debated early in the new year.
Padmore acknowledged that the stipulations of the measure had far-reaching implications for a wide cross-section of the citizenry.
“PNM people was affected. UNC people was affected. COP people was affected. Everybody was affected,” he said, imploring the Government to re-consider the measure.
Padmore accused the Government of failing to listen to the views of the people.
“As a member of the PNM I could never sit down and see what going on in Trinidad and Tobago.”
He also claimed that the money being derived from the new property tax would be used to replace what was spent on the spanking new National Academy for the Performing Arts.
Accusing the Government of using the people to acquire votes during election time, Padmore warned: “You will come back for the same voices who you are abusing in the ghetto. Look at the East-West Corridor, which one of the stronghold of the PNM highly-developed? None. No sporting facilities. Nothing and you want to come now and tell people you have to pay for this and pay for that.”
Padmore’s impassioned appeal for unity set the tone for yesterday’s proceedings, which was attended by COP supporters as well as PNM, UNC and NJAC activists. They were joined by curious onlookers and Woodford Square regulars.
Also in attendance were Tobago Organisation of the People leader Ashworth Jack, Ortoire/Mayaro MP Winston “Gypsy” Peters, One Voice chairman Inshan Ishmael and representatives from the labour movement and civil society.
During the rally, supporters were asked to sign a petition against the measure.
An executive member of the National Trade Union Centre also urged citizens to wear red in protest against the property tax on Friday and Sunday. He also announced that a rally was being organised for Sunday. The venue is yet to be finalised.
NATUC also called on citizens to stay at home on Monday and Tuesday.
In his address, Peters, who sang two verses of his signature tune “Ship Ahoy” to the delight of the gathering, urged citizens to take to the streets in protest. He said the measure transcended political, religious and ethnic lines.
COP political leader Winston Dookeran said the nation was crying out for new leadership. He regarded yesterday’s turnout as the beginning of a new order of governance in the country.
“Let us stand firm. Let us stand brave. Let us stand tall and come together in the north to the plains of central and let us stand together as one people,” Dookeran urged.
