Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says citizens must reject racism and division.
Speaking during an African Emancipation Day observance hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister, Mrs Persad-Bissessar said the occasion is more than the commemoration of freedom won.
She said African Emancipation marked the beginning of modern Trinidad and Tobago, adding “Upon that foundation, the descendants of India, Europe, China, the Middle East, Syria, Lebanon and our First Peoples each brought their own gifts, traditions and labour, together building the nation we proudly share.”
She adds that no nation can survive the language of division, and believes that “Too often, disagreement has descended into disrespect, political differences into personal hostility, and race has been invoked not to deepen understanding, but to sow division.”
She has since stated her commitment to serving all citizens equally and called on citizens to honour their ancestors through gratitude, humility and service.
