Today, the communities of St Ann’s, Belmont, St Barbs, Harp, Picton, Duncan/Nelson Streets, Morvant, St Paul Street, Sealots and Beetham, have agreed in an act of daring solidarity, to put their guns down and hit the streets in a relay run for the one and main thing that’s missing from their communities…..PEACE.
The race which is being put on by the Inter Community Rally For Peace Committee—headed by Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board Chairman Annabelle Davis and the Minister of Sports, will begin at 8 am from Patos Vale in St Ann’s and will take the runners throughout the streets where gunmen reside, to the Beetham Recreation Ground.
Coming on the heels of an ongoing war between ‘Rastar City’ and “Muslims,” a jail break which has left a police officer and two escapees dead and increasing tension among the national community due to gang violence and criminality, the residents of the 10 communities are saying enough is enough.
“We want back our community” is now the mantra of runners who flocked to the organisers’ office in St Ann’s—all anxious to return peace to their communities and create an atmosphere of love for their families. They are eager to have as normal a life as anyone else in the twin island republic, regardless of race, creed, class, status and economic position.
The race has already gotten the support of many such as National Security Minister Carl Alfonso who has agreed to be on hand to send the runners off while Brent Sancho, the new Minister of Sports, is expected to address the gathering at the end. Executives of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service have also given their commitment for the event and there will also be a prayer for the runners and the national community by Father Clyde Harvey as well as the presence of other religious leaders.
Davis said putting the event together was a major challenge where funding was concerned, but thanks to corporate citizens Boss Ah Soup, Capital City, Chaves, Ma Pau and Cindi’s B&B Saloon the race will be on it way.
She explained that the most encouraging thing though was the enthusiasm of the communities and called on all residents, corporate citizen, police officers, members of the media and others to come out and support this event, saying everyone is affected by crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Davis said her biggest challenge was mapping out the route as the runners are expected to pass through each affected community.