An anti-crime campaigner is seeking the support of President Paula-Mae Weekes as he intends to stage another rally in August to protest against the rising murders in the country.
Just over a year after Kesta Stoute, 27, walked from his hometown of St Mary’s Village, Moruga to San Fernando.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Stoute said he was hopeful for Weekes’ support as he believes that with her intervention T&T can combat crime.
“My walk in 2017 I gained a lot of support from the public and a few Cabinet ministers but it’s not enough. I want to now gain that support from Her Excellency and ask her to meet with the young people of our nation so that she can listen to our views as to how we can better our country, which has become that of a war zone,” Stoute said.
“I believe that change is gonna come but it will take time and much effort. I intend to never stop until I can see the days my grandparents talked about…where they could sleep with doors open,” he said.
Stoute, who has an active role in the St Mary’s Police Youth Club and several schools in his area, said crime and murders have “hit home” for him, especially the murders of women, who in some cases were mothers and have now left their children behind.
“I want to have children and I would like to be around to see them have children and I want my parents to be around to see me have children. Why must I work hard for what I have and someone must come and take that away from me? It’s not fair. We shouldn’t be living in so much fear and duress to the criminals out here,” Stoute said.
“We must teach people that if you give a man a fish, he eats it for a day, but teach him to fish he eats for a lifetime…My motto is love of my God, my country, my family and my fellow men…This is what I live by and I intend to share with everyone I come in contact with,” he said.
Stoute is expected to send the letter to Weekes after Easter is observed.
Stoute is also planning an anti-crime rally in August and is hopeful that Weekes would also be a part by showing her full support.
On March 18, 2017, Stoute, embarked on the eight-hour walk from his hometown to San Fernando.
Stoute initially thought of staging a silent protest on the Princes Town promenade, but decided against it after being advised that he needed permission from the police.