Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has condemned what she described as “sick and evil” calls for violent criminal gangs to unite against law enforcement officers.In a statement issued yesterday, Persad-Bissessar accused sections of the Opposition, trade unions, entertainers and activists of associating themselves with dangerous rhetoric.The Prime Minister said only “sick and evil people” would support calls for gangs to target police officers and law-abiding citizens.Accompanying the statement was a video in which two men spoke out against law enforcement, with one condemning what he described as the “unprecedented charge” laid against Kaia Sealy.Sealy faces eight charges in connection with the shooting death of her partner, Joshua Samaroo, and warrants have been issued for her arrest. She is currently in the United States receiving medical treatment.In the video, one of the men called for gangs to make peace between “Rasta City” and “Muslim City” in opposition to what he described as a system of “divide and rule.” He also urged members of gangs “6, 7, 8 and 9” to prepare for a “revolution.”Persad-Bissessar condemned the statement, saying that “only sick and evil people would support calls for violent gangs to unite to attack law enforcement officers and law-abiding citizens.”She said it was appalling that the People’s National Movement (PNM), some union leaders, entertainers, “publicity farmers,” and what she termed “political and race grifters” were supporting protesters who, she claimed, were calling for violent criminal gangs to unite against law enforcement officers.“This sick and evil call for gangs to unify to attack law enforcement occurred during the protest in front of the DPP’s office this past week, where protesters attempted to intimidate prosecutorial officials at work. Thank God the TTPS was present to secure the prosecutorial staff at work,” she said.Persad-Bissessar noted that Trinidad and Tobago has recorded more than 10,000 murders over the past 25 years, adding that “when our citizens are slaughtered in gang wars across the country by violent criminals, there is no outrage.”She said entire communities have been terrorised by gangs and that many residents can no longer safely walk their own streets.“Where are the mass demonstrations for them? Where is the empathy and love for them? Where are the campaigns and protests by the grifters demanding justice for victims caught in gang warfare?” she asked.The Prime Minister added:“I encourage the PNM, the union leaders, entertainers, publicity farmers, and political and race grifters to engage in self-reflection. It is sickening that they would affiliate themselves with persons who are making these dangerous and evil statements supporting violent gangs to unite to attack law enforcement.”Persad-Bissessar assured law-abiding citizens that the Government and law enforcement agencies would continue to stand firmly in their defence and work to ensure their safety.A dangerous unionThe video also showed a reporter asking Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith what the call for gangs to unite in a “revolution” against the authorities could mean for policing operations.Smith responded that he had viewed the video that has been circulated, relating to the call for gangs to unite to fight against the TTPS and other law enforcement agencies, and assured members of the public that “we are not taking that lightly”.“I also want to advise persons who are organising these meetings, protests, or whatever they choose to call them, to be careful who they align themselves with. It could be a dangerous union.“What you sow is what you may reap later on. These so-called gang members may have ulterior motives for aligning themselves with you. You have to be careful of that. It is not as simple as a partnership where they merely support your cause. In some instances it may appear innocent, but in others it could be quite dangerous,” he said.Smith further warned that the presence of gang members at protests or public gatherings could create volatile situations:“It may be quite dangerous when we have these gatherings, protests or meetings and gang members choose to attend. Some persons may not get the memo about the so-called truce and could come there and cause mayhem. It could become quite volatile.“It might be dangerous for persons attending these meetings or protests because gang members could engage in shootouts or other criminal activity. What I am saying is: be careful about aligning yourselves with gangs and gang members. It could be detrimental to both you and your cause.”