November 21, 2020

MP Gonzales Condemns Opposition Rejection Of Anti-Gang Bill

By Newsroom

Member of Parliament for Lopinot/Bon Air West and Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales, has added his voice to the chorus of people condemning the Opposition for its failure to support the Anti-Gang Bill.

The Bill did not receive the three-fifth majority needed to be passed in the House of Representatives in Friday, as all 19 Opposition members abstained the vote. 

“As a new Member of the 12th Republican Parliament, it was shocking to see the Opposition Leader, leading her caucus to abstain from supporting this critical legislation which provides an important platform to allow our national Police Service to continue to investigate and prosecute persons who engage in criminal gang activities that undermine the peace, order and security of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” Mr. Gonzales said in a statement. 

“What occurred in our Parliament yesterday was an abhorrent abdication of duty by the Opposition United National Congress and one which can have devastating implications for our national security and the capacity of our national police service to protect innocent citizens from those among us who continue to choose a life of crime.”

Commissioner Griffith was one of the first person’s to react to yesterday’s vote- describing the Opposition’s stance as another case of “petty politics”.

“Gang leaders could advertise to have persons join gangs now,” the Police Commissioner said. 

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