They wore red on Sunday at Mandela Park, Port-of-Spain, while at Constantine Park, Macoya, it was yellow or white. But everyone at both venues had one thing in common. And it wasn’t just that they had come out by the thousands.
The stiff breezes and sandy soil had them inhaling dust for most of the day.
There was a good chance that anyone who came out to the People’s National Movement’s family and sports day in Port-of-Spain or the People’s Partnership anniversary celebration in Macoya went home covered in a thin film of dust.
The Opposition PNM didn’t need to proclaim they were election ready, although several speakers did. The level of mobilisation for the event gave enough insight into strong planning. Buses and maxis started rolling in from early morning.
The rectangular venue on the park’s north-east was ringed with sizeable tents where members avoided the sunshine, at least until the party atmosphere drew them out.
A huge space in the middle catered for the morning’s march past and other events during the day. By evening, balisier red was spread out like a tide in front of the stage on the northern side.
Largely traditional PNM support was present in full force—young, old and in-between. Die-hards and newbies. PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley gave a shout-out to stalwarts at home.
The Balisier Brigade wore their election readiness and in the case of PNM Public Relations Officer Faris Al-Rawi, strutted form.
T-shirts told the loyalty story: “Tell Dem Dr Rowley”, “Arima—For Good Governance”, “In Defence of Tobago”, “Laventille Greater Than You Think!—Morris Marshall”, “Vote Marlene McDonald, Without a Doubt.”
PNM chairman Franklin Khan declared: “We’re fighting this election not only as the PNM army, but also as PNM’s family, get connected with the candidates, build bonds...”
A high youth presence spearheaded the march past. Several teams were unforgiving of political enemies.
A large plush lion strung upside-down on poles as the Mayaro team’s portrayal featured their victory over governing United National Congress’ Mayaro MP.
“They’ve killed the Lion!” the female announcer explained.
“Who is dat woman in yellow? Tell she walk behind Dr Rowley eh!” she added, when another team featured a “Kamla” character dressed in yellow with a bottle in hand.
Yellow featured in floods at the PP’s celebration but references to the Prime Minister bore a tone of reverence rather than ridicule.
There, also, mobilisation seemed well in hand. Maxis and buses of “Kamla’s Crew” had been heading east since after noon and they kept coming. And coming.
By 5 pm, the grounds were “yellow” with splotches of white Congress of the People (COP) shirts, with a few like councillor Ishwar Mootoo donning both yellow and white.
And a smidgen of purple National Joint Action Committee T-shirts.
Banners and T-shirts bespoke PP support, from San Fernando West to “Tunapuna loves Kamla!”
Tents set up around the perimeter accommodated only a handful, leaving supporters from elderly to middle aged and young largely to the grounds. Space in front of two stages was packed and the party vibe was as high as in Mandela Park.
Small groups carrying huge COP flags planted themselves in front the main stage.
In an elevated VIP box, COP founder Winston Dookeran sat front row and stayed silent for the most part.
Others swayed to music. Vasant Bharath tossed a boxful of horns to the crowd.
PP also had non-traditional supporters. Two men from Arima standing outside the venue in black and blue confirmed they worked with CEPEP and had been invited by the crew’s contractor.
“He didn’t force we to come or threaten to hold pay, he just say come if we want, it was up to us,’” said one.
“I come down the road because I support UNC.”
His companion muttered: “I know I ain’t going to work tomorrow.”
A dreadlocked, middle-aged woman in yellow said she was from a Brazil URP group, “but I with UNC long time, since Panday days.”
A sign held by several youths who also said they were with CEPEP proclaimed: “D’Abadie O’Meara supports Brent Sancho.”
On the platform, PP’s Errol McLeod declared, “I don’t think we had as many gathered in 2010 as we do here!...Please pause for 30 seconds of silence.”
After they did, he explained: “Thank you very much. You’ve just marked the demise of the PNM.”