Gary Griffith, former Commissioner of Police and citizen, expressed his disappointment over the cancellation of the Independence Day parade and celebrations, terming it ‘unfortunate’. He stressed the day’s significance as a symbol of self-governance and freedom from external control. Griffith condemned the trivialization of the event by citizens and dismissed as ‘foolish’ the idea that the parade was cancelled to save costs. He highlighted that the cost of Carnival launch events was three times the expense of the Independence Day celebrations. Griffith acknowledged that if a clear threat to national security was identified, the state would be forced to act. He expressed hope that the threat leading to the cancellation could be swiftly neutralized. He further warned that the cancellation signals serious issues in Trinidad and Tobago, potentially impacting its regional and international image in trade, investment, and tourism. Lastly, he urged citizens to support law enforcement and intelligence agencies, underscoring the state’s decision was likely founded on credible intelligence to ensure public safety.
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