OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she was "a dangerous woman," but had to be so to stand up for victims of violent criminals, whom she accused the Government of ignoring. She was addressing a UNC rally at Penal ahead of next Monday's local government elections.
"I have to be a dangerous woman to protect you and your family."
She chided unnamed people who she said had suddenly found their fake sense of humanity, in seemingly prioritising the rights of criminals over the rights of victims.
"They all say nothing about the crime, robberies, rapes, murders, and brutal home invasions.
"They keep quiet about the dehumanising treatment of victims of crime. They don’t complain about how hard it is for ordinary citizens to live and survive here.
"But when I say to light up the criminals, they are experts in what is reasonable force and are so very concerned about the rights of bandits who force themselves into people’s homes." She scoffed that her critics were purportedly experts in race relations and are concerned about speech.
"What about defending the victims of home invasions and crime?
"Victims suffer from depression, anxiety, constant fear. Victims sometimes commit suicide, families are destroyed, marriages broken. Children are left scarred for life. What about the feelings of the victims?
"They call me a dangerous woman. Well, yes, I have to be a dangerous woman, because there are too many weak men and weak women in positions of influence who do nothing to protect you, the weakest being the dictator.
"I have to be a dangerous woman to protect you and your family. Criminals prey on fear. We have to put the fear into criminals. I am always contacted by victims of crime for help, so I understand what they go through."
Persad-Bissessar seemingly defended her recent choice of language in advising home-owners facing home invasion to "light up" violent intruders.
"At least I am trying to reach out and speak the youth's language so they can become involved in the political process. As leaders we must humble ourselves and learn to listen to the people we represent. You can’t listen if you don’t speak the same language.
"I am trying to engage with them. Every man and woman that was murdered had a son, daughter, mother and father, siblings and niece and nephew! We must not push these young people away. It is our responsibility as adults to reach out and help."
She suggested most Cabinet ministers have firearm user's licences and were otherwise well protected by police escorts, as she accused the Prime Minister of hypocrisy towards calls for the general citizenry to also access legal firearms.
"All police officers and prison officers must be granted an FUL for a personal firearm paid for by the State. Our officers should be able to protect themselves and their families when they are off duty.
"I also call on the Government to rescind that wicked four per cent insult to our officers and give them a meaningful raise in salaries."
Ahead of next Monday, Persad-Bissessar then asked if two
