It was a sea of red at the Eddie Hart Grounds in Tacarigua yesterday as thousands of People’s National Movement (PNM) supporters turned out in a show of political passion during the party’s “Big Red Rally”.
From as early as 2.30 p.m., busloads of supporters arrived from around the country, transforming the grounds into a festive, almost picnic-like atmosphere.
Coolers and flags in hand, many groups set up under tents as they waited for the entertainment to start.
Elderly men carried cocoyea brooms and elderly women fanned themselves patiently under the afternoon sun, while younger party faithful paraded through the crowd draped in red.
Some danced to music from nearby music trucks and patronised the food vendors who offered a number of options in and around the Eddie Hart Grounds.
The excitement built steadily with a pre-show starting around 3.30 p.m., featuring a lively performance by Primary School Junior Calypso Monarch Zachary Ransome, who got the crowd moving early with his youthful energy.
The entertainment segment that followed read like a who’s who of local talent and included performances by Tony Prescott, gospel artiste Jaron Nurse, and the energetic Erphaan Alves, who all delivered crowd-pleasing performances.
Devon Seales, Preedy (Akeem Chance), Lady Lava (Keisha Harris), and Kernal Roberts added more fire to the already buzzing atmosphere.
Calypso royalty Karene Asche and Terri Lyons also brought their signature style and lyrical prowess to the stage, while Benjai (Rodney Le Blanc) and Peter C Lewis kept the rhythm going.
When the music paused, the speeches began.
Attorney General Camille Robinson-Regis took the stage with a fierce message for supporters: “PNM people! Red is de word! Are you red? Are you ready? Are you responsible?” she shouted to the sound of vuvuzelas and a rhythm section in the distance.
She told the crowd not to gamble with their future.
Robinson-Regis said red speaks to loyalty, legacy, leadership and stands for strength, stability, service and for the PNM winning the election on April 28.
“Red means progress. Red means not ever giving up on Trinidad and Tobago. And I say to you this evening, are you ready for April 28? Are you ready to vote solidly for the People’s National Movement? We cannot gamble with our future. We of the PNM don’t play politics with our people. We don’t turn our backs on this beautiful nation.
“So here me now. Get up early on April 28, say your prayers, go to the polls and vote solidly for the PNM in every constituency. You must vote solidly for your PNM candidate because as we know, the ground is going to carry it.
“The ground is going to carry this election, and you the loyal members of the PNM are going to ensure that Stuart Richard Young is our next prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago,” Robinson-Regis said.
Robinson-Regis told the cheering crowd that the United National Congress (UNC) stands for unpatriotic, negligent and corrupt.
“They must never sees the corridors of power ever, ever again. We of the PNM are here for you. We of the PNM know how to govern this county in the interest of all the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.
Between speakers, the party-like atmosphere continued as the DJ played, and various rhythm sections kept the crowd moving
Candidate for Cumuto/Manzanilla Sanjiv Boodhu told the crowd that they had an important decision to make tomorrow.
Speaking to the young people in particular, Boodhu said staying at home and not voting would have serious long-term effects.
He reminded them of who had formed a part of the UNC coalition of interests.
“Could you imagine this? Could you imagine voting for them on Monday and you wake up Tuesday morning and find out that Anand Ramlogan is the attorney general again? Could you imagine you wake up and find out Phillip Edward (Alexander) is a minister of something? Anil Roberts is a minister of something? And Roger Alexander is the minister of something, and he has to go and represent us in Trinidad and Tobago on an international stage…? Can you imagine that?” he asked.