PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she never committed to attending yesterday’s African Emancipation Day celebrations at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.The Prime Minister was slated to address attendees gathered at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village at 3 p.m., according to the organisers—the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago.However, following a half-hour delay, ESCTT director Dr Asha Kambon announced around 3.30 p.m. that the PM could no longer attend the event.No official reason was provided for her sudden cancellation.The announcement was met with an immediate reaction across the Savannah stage area, as sections of the crowd began to jeer the Prime Minister.The reaction prompted Kambon to urge attendees to maintain decorum despite their personal opinions.“Everyone has their own views, but please be respectful,” she told the crowd, noting that whether the Prime Minister showed up or not, she was an invited guest who was simply unable to attend, and asked those present to remain respectful regardless of their view, political or otherwise.“We should treat all our guests with the same level of respect,” she said.Contacted for comment yesterday, the Prime Minister stated: “I never committed to attending that event. I attended two African Emancipation events on Thursday; I am spending the day with my family. I’m sorry that those persons who were eagerly waiting to insult and curse me were disappointed. They should not worry, there will always be another event where they may have the opportunity to hurl curses and insults at me.I attended two wonderful Emancipation events on Thursday in POS and San Fernando. Those were beautiful events organised by the office of the Prime Minister and another by Minister Benjamin. You actually have a photo of me at one of the functions on your paper’s front page today.”Following the appeal, organisers proceeded with the afternoon’s cultural programming.Asked their views on the absence of Persad-Bissessar, some attendees said it was not so important, as the Prime Minister was a “busy woman”. “Maybe something popped up and she had to cancel. That is no big deal,” said Telly Martineau, as he pointed out that other members of the government were present, including minister in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Edward Alexander and Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John.Others criticised the PM’s decision to not show up, labelling it as “a disrespect”.“So, you couldn’t just take a few minutes to come and speak to people?” asked one woman who only identified herself as Jenny.She opined, however, that Persad-Bissessar might have taken the decision to not show up on the belief that she would not receive the warmest welcome.“I don’t think it was any emergency. I am sure she thought she would get boo if she came here,” she said, making reference to Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin being heckled earlier in the day during her address in downtown Port of Spain.“But it is all good. People are having fun. The entertainment is good and everything, so I do not think anyone is missing out on anything”, she said.