Unions postpone march to avoid clash with Sparrow’s funeral

PORT-OF-SPAIN, CMC:

Trinidad and Tobago’s trade union movement has rescheduled a planned march through Port-of-Spain by one week to avoid a clash with the state-assisted funeral of calypso legend Slinger ‘Mighty Sparrow’ Francisco.

The demonstration, originally set for October 16, will now take place on October 23, National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) General Secretary Michael Annisette confirmed, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

Annisette said the change followed discussions among union leaders, who agreed that the labour movement should be allowed to pay its respects to Sparrow without staging a demonstration on the same day as his funeral.

He clarified that the decision was made by the unions themselves, not at the request of the police.

According to Annisette, law enforcement officials contacted the organisers after the scheduling conflict became apparent, informing them that Sparrow’s funeral would coincide with the proposed march.

“They never called to ask us to postpone it. They called letting us know that, on that day, right, it’s Sparrow’s funeral,” he said.

Extending condolences on behalf of the labour movement, Annisette offered sympathies to the calypsonian’s children and wider family.

“Just on behalf of the labour movement, we wish to extend our condolences to the Mighty Sparrow, his children and his family, and may his soul rest in peace.”

The funeral arrangements are expected to involve road closures and the deployment of police personnel in areas near the unions’ planned route through the capital. Annisette said the unions opted to select another date rather than conflict with those arrangements.

“There’s a consensus and agreement by everybody, out of respect for Sparrow, that we should look for a new date to have our march, rather than clashing with it,” he said.