It's a music festival, not a riot (Panorama semi-finals) - by Gary Aboud

[Pan Times]

Trinidad Express Newspapers

 

As usual, I attended the Panorama semi-finals and year after year I am shocked at the police brutality.

 

Unnecessary situations of violence haunt and mar our festivities for innocent supporters.

 

Every year supporters bring their bands over the stage, every year they stay to hear their band play and then they go home or lime around, or some would pay and enter the Savannah stands.

 

Every year these fully armed riot police with tear gas, machine guns and batons beat onlookers who were simply at the end of the stage straining to hear and see their band compete. Why does Pan Trinbago not understand that this is a music festival, not a riot.

 

I am informed that Pan Trinbago officials on stage called out these specially armed riot police? If so, why?

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[Trevor Emanuel Cooper]

To show that they are in CHARGE and can do What they want. The Government put millions in their hands and the SHOW must go on.

[Noah]

I get depressed watching panorama video from years past and see the difference in how the supporters were allowed to surround their bands on either side... now you are corralled off to the side just to watch on the jumbotron the band playing not 200 feet away... otherwise it's the man with the gun [grenade?] you have to tangle with...

I know attendees prefer to watch the bands on the drag. As a player I say I prefer to play on the drag as well. You don't get that same crowd immersion on stage again.

[Mark Lyndersay]

Let's not forget the grenades. Of what earthly use are grenades in a crowd gathered to appreciate music?

[Bugs]

We are watching the unraveling of a society in front of our eyes Mr. Lyndersay.

bugs

[wmlpan]

Wait.

Mr Lyndersay, we're talking panorama?  What grenades (and they would be live ammo here?) are you talking about?

[Dika]

I've seen this. You're left wondering what country is this. It's like a scene from old South Africa or the Gaza strip. It seems like no one in the Trinidad and Tobago government or Pan Trinbago has given thought to the day after someone uses one of these weapons. Then again maybe they have and already have their statements prepared.  Madness.. 

[quiet storm]

Fully understand. My cousin was beaten in the finals because he was ordered to move back, but he couldn't because the crowd was so thick behind him. When he told them that he couldn't move back they started pouncing on him like he committed a crime.