Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has condemned the arrest of protesters outside the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), warning that citizens’ voices must not be silenced by the State.In a statement issued overnight following Wednesday’s protest in Port of Spain, Beckles opened with the words shouted by protester Alyssa Phillip moments before she was detained by police.“‘The only weapon we have are our voices. And that is the weapon that they are afraid of the most.’ These were the words of Alyssa Phillip moments before she was arrested yesterday near the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” Beckles stated.Phillip was among three people detained during a protest organised by relatives and supporters of Kaia Sealy, who are demanding answers as to why Sealy has been charged in connection with the death of her common-law husband, Joshua Samaroo, during a police-involved shooting in January.Beckles said the events represented a worrying development for democracy and freedom of expression in Trinidad and Tobago.She referenced the dramatic scenes in which blogger and influencer Jason De Silva was also arrested after questioning police actions and accusing officers of “weaponising the State against citizens.”De Silva was seen dropping to his knees, raising his hands and repeatedly shouting “hands up, don’t shoot!” before being taken away by officers.Phillip’s mother, Camille Caresquero, was also placed in a police vehicle alongside her daughter, though police did not confirm whether she had been detained or voluntarily accompanied her.“This is not the end of the fight!” Phillip shouted as she was escorted away.Beckles noted that the protesters had gathered despite a public warning issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) cautioning against demonstrations outside the DPP’s office.As the crowd grew to around 50 people, police presence intensified, with officers from multiple units and police vehicles arriving at the scene. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin was also observed outside the DPP’s office speaking with senior officers.The Opposition Leader said the images and reports emerging from Richmond Street had unsettled many citizens already concerned about public trust in law enforcement and the justice system.Up to late Wednesday night, police sources were unable to confirm whether charges had been laid against any of the detainees.The following is the full statement of Pennelope BecklesFreedom trembles in these times.Trinidad and Tobago should never, ever find itself on the brink of becoming a policing state.As Leader of the Opposition I call upon the PM to return democracy to its unfettered position contemplated by our constitution by ending the failed SOE and allowing our people the freedom to express themselves peacefully and democratically.The arrest of demonstrator and social media commentator Jason De Silva, detained by senior officers before a single chant could be raised outside the Office of the DPP, followed by the arrest of Alyssa Phillip in quick succession has sent chills down the spines of every right thinking person as what was portrayed in the media coverage of the event did not appear to be appropriate and proportionate action especially when followed by callous gun talk from an absentee PM.Kamla Persad Bissessar has once again in the face of public crisis, chosen to emerge by WhatsApp to condemn a handful of democratic voices peaceably gathered in public near the Port of Spain Offices of the DPP when video of the event demonstrates the heavy presence of battalion of police assembled in riot gear.The PNM when in Government managed SOEs without incident and with full interaction with the public and the media. The Prime Minister and every Minister in Government was present in person to be questioned, to provide direction and to ensure the balance and constant reform of policy.Today Persad Bissessar, still unavailable in person but obviously reticent to dictate from on high, has drawn a line in the sand that has left the nation confused. The PM states by way of condemnation, that it is “publicity farming” with a view to forcing an arrest to “claim victim status” for voices expressing concern in relation to the charging of Kaia Sealey in North Trinidad whilst at the same time she has turned a blind eye giving tacit approval to protests of a similar size in Siparia against an Alderman who crossed the political floor away from the UNC.Worrisomely, Persad Bissessar as a Senior Counsel in law has continued to dig her heels into making strident statements akin to opinions of guilt against Kaia Sealey when she knows all too well that her statements can be used by attorneys as unnecessary pre-trial publicity requiring a cooling off period to create a long distance between agitated public opinion and a trial to determine guilt or innocence - thereby prejudicing a quick resolution in courts.Further, in either a display of the ravages of age or hubris, the PM has engaged in what can only be viewed as a blatant reinvention of history as she effectively states that there were no voices in protest to murders in the last 10 years when a simple online search will pull up scores of protests with healthy participation by members of the UNC.As Leader of the Opposition I must point out that the PM has simply missed the point that the nation is beleaguered by what is now a never ending SOE in circumstances where there is genuine public agitation in a police killing that must be allowed to work its way through the courts of justice and public opinion.Clearly the PM ought to know that there is a need for clarity and peaceful out let of democratic expression. A small gathering adequately supervised as appeared to be the case today can and ought to have been met with dispersion and explanation. The media was in full attendance the nation was and still is glued.Surely the PM must be aware that unto as recently as May 24th 2026 the TTPS issued a Media Release entitled “State of Emergency (SOE): Guidance on Public Gatherings and TTPS Response” in which the TTPS acknowledged that protests are not expressly prohibited under the current SOE and that while all public gatherings must strictly comply with the Emergency Powers Regulations the TTPS are duly empowered to take “appropriate and proportionate action, including the lawful dispersal of such assemblies”.When a nation witnesses a PM who appears to favour only those in vociferous support of her whilst berating any one that dares to speak to issues that she’d rather keep buried, we know and ought to know that we are in free fall crash mode heading to disaster. This become all the much more dangerous when we are fed the constant call by the Government for the imposition of a ZOSO where that law will give the PM the power to effectively suspend rights by her unfettered decision.Today’s voices did not appear disorderly. Today’s actions by citizens apparently peacefully assembled resembled acts of democratic participation often cherished by societies that value fundamental freedoms of the type enshrined in our beloved constitution.Madame Prime Minister the nation needs an active presence of a clear minded even handed leader which is not afraid of the vox populi.UNC influencers now caught as having been hired by WASA earn more than doctors and nurses who work tirelessly in our health care system. TikTok Junior Ministers each earn $73,000 a month and have not an honest day’s work on display.No country can survive when peaceful citizens are treated like enemies of the State. After nearly a year under a now failed SOE, the people deserve better than intimidation and silence.Madame Prime Minister we don’t want another Anna Ramdass exclusive whilst you hide from your duties.The nation is watching and we are paying you handsomely to actually turn up to work.Pennelope Beckles, MP