Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday criticised protesters, saying she had no time for “victim gimmickry”.She criticised those who turned out in Port of Spain to protest the police issuing warrants for the arrest of Kaia Sealy, describing their actions as “publicity farming” and an attempt to provoke the police.She asked where the protesters were when more than 5,000 people had been murdered over the past decade by criminal elements.The Prime Minister’s support for law enforcement was reinforced as she also suggested words for protesters to chant in the future: “‘Hands up! Don’t shoot at the police!’ I recommend that they also shout that.”Persad-Bissessar said people were free to protest and even “mash up the place” if they wish, but warned that those who do so will face the consequences of the law.“Five thousand-plus people have been murdered in the past ten years but we never saw these grifters protesting against the gangs and telling the violent criminals ‘hands up, don’t shoot’. This country is a lawless dump because too many law-abiding citizens were fearful to call out the ongoing lawlessness and the adults who condone and encourage it,” said Persad-Bissessar said during a phone interview.She said Trinidad and Tobago had become a criminal state under the People’s National Movement (PNM) and that it would not continue. “I am seeing many communities now taking a stance against crimi­nals, the country wants safety and my Government along with the men and women in law enforcement will do whatever it takes to bring back that safety,” she said.On Tuesday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) noted that a planned protest scheduled for yesterday outside the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in support of Kaia Sealy had not been authorised, and warned that any unauthorised gathering during the state of emergency (SoE) would be treated as a breach of emergency regulations.The protest forms part of the ongoing “19 Bullets, 19 Protests” campaign being led by friends and supporters of Sealy and her ­common-law husband, Joshua Samaroo, who was shot by police on January 20 following a chase.The Prime Minister pointed out that the Emergency Powers (Prohibition of Public Protests and Demonstrations) Order 2026 prohibited protests within 500 metres of the DPP’s office.“They are free to protest near areas not listed in the schedule,” she said.Asked whether it was an act of lawlessness if persons failed to comply with police instructions, Persad-Bissessar responded: “If you are referring to the attempted protest today, the law-abiding citizens of our country fully well know that the whole intent was publicity farming. It was intended to provoke the police hoping to escalate the situation to get a response and to then claim victim status.”The Prime Minister said police time and resources were wasted.“The grifters were out in full force just wasting police time and resources. Law-abiding citizens are fed up of the lawlessness and ­disorder. ­Nobody is fooled by this,” she said.Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago’s democracy continues to be strong, as people remain free to do what they want, including ­protest.“As has been the norm for the past 12 months, citizens are free to protest within the law. Citizens are free to run from the police or stop. Citizens are free to shoot at the police or surrender. Citizens are free to sell guns and drugs or to make an honest day’s living.“Citizens are free to do anything they want to do and when they are done the law will take its course, if necessary.“My focus is the law-abiding citi­zens of this country; I have no time for the victim gimmickry the grifters are trying to import into our society. They are free to mash up the place if they want,” she said.Persad-Bissessar said, thankfully, no members of the TTPS were harmed yesterday as she reiterated support for their service in protecting law-abiding citizens of the ­country.The Prime Minister also noted that lawful protests occur almost every week and that police are present to ensure order and safety.