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Feb. 19, 2007

Violent confrontations, several fights, many brawls and aggressive police interventions marred The B2B One Show at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on Feb. 17. When it was all over, police reported that seven people were stabbed and had to receive treatment at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, adding that there were robberies in and around the venue.

Brass Festival, which had become notorious for several violent incidents over the years was expected to benefit from a recent merger with Bunji entitled “B2B One, Brass, Bunji and Beyond”.

But at 11.30 PM police to the right of the stage rushed through the thick crowd and seized three men based on a reported altercation.

Swift police intervention failed to prevent two incidents during the early stages of Bunji’s performance.

“We don’t want any fighting here,” declared Bunji in a futile attempt to avoid further incidents.

Then at approximately 2.26 AM, a massive brawl between two young males broke out, sending feters, reporters, photographers and concert officials runnning everywhere.

It took less than 20 minutes before a group of elaborately dressed females was seized by another group of officers for reportedly engaging in yet another violent incident. Soon after the group of females was removed Bunji called for an end to the war by saying, “we want the peace treaty signed.”

These incidents occurred despite the assurances given by Police Commissioner Trevor Paul and other security heads that Carnival 2007 will be a safe one.

Police reported that Lennard Semend, 34 of Caracas, Venezuela was stabbed and robbed.

At about 4.10 am, he was walking around the Queen’s Park Savannah, near the Princes Building Grounds, when he was approached by a group of men who stabbed him in the chest and robbed him of $400.

Semend was treated at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Less than an hour later, David John, 23, of Laventille, was at the Savannah, when he was approached by six men who beat him and robbed him of a chain valued at $8,000.

Shurlon Henry, 21, of Diego Martin, also reported to the police that at about 2.15 am he was at the concert when he felt a blow to his abdomen.

He was also stabbed by a group of men who attempted to rob him. He is now warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

Rodney Felician, 22, of Maraval was also at the concert when at about 2.30 am he was approached by two men. An argument ensued and he was stabbed on the hip and thigh.

He was treated and warded at the hospital. Another concert-goer Bernard Primus, 35 of Chaguanas was robbed and stabbed in the back. He is at Ward 24 in serious condition.

Another man, Danny Edwards, of San Juan was robbed of a gold chain valued at $5,000 and a bracelet valued at $1,500.

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Source: Trinidad and Tobago NewsDay