Take a Stand, Not a Seat

In response to a death count of 463 persons killed through crime across Trinidad and Tobago in 2016, a demonstration called ‘Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat‘ was held at Woodford Square, Port of Spain, on Friday 13th January, 2017. The activity was organised primarily by drama organisation, DMAD Company, lead by Andre ‘Ziggy’ Dillon. The initial goal was to gather at least 463 persons to lie in silence on the ground of Woodford Square, thereby visually demonstrating 2016’s homicide toll. A large fraction of that was achieved, but not the full number. Ziggy was clear in stating that he views positive action against crime as arising personally, from each individual opting against violent or corrupt means.

Preparation
Persons gather materials and make signs in preparation for an anti-crime demonstration at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Warming Up
Freetown Collective tunes and warms up prior to the 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' anti-crime demonstration. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Together
Anti-crime demonstrators share a joke before the start of an initiative at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

I / We
A lady works on a placard by leaning it against the back of a friend. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Paperwork
DMAD Company discuss with police before beginning an anti-crime demonstration. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Ziggy
Andre 'Ziggy' Dillon, leader of DMAD Company. DMAD stands for 'Drama Making a Difference'. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Serious about Crime
A lady with a stern expression works on a sign for an anti-crime demonstration. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Names
A volunteer distributes names of homicide victims to demonstrators. These are meant to be worn as a memory of each individual slain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Rallying Cry
Andre 'Ziggy' Dillon gives a few initial words prior to the start of a demonstration, 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat'. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Ardia, Rosemary, and Apphia
The names of three individuals who have lost their lives to crime in 2016. According to miscellaneous reports in local newspapers: Ardia Yearwood-Marchan's burnt body was found with her husband's in the Petrotrin Forest Reserve; Rosemary Blackburn was apparently shot by her husband who then sped off to commit suicide; Apphia Janelle-Quamina was chopped to death for unknown reasons while doing her laundry. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Carlene Grant
An anti-crime demonstrator holds up the name of an individual who lost her life to violence in 2016. According to a Trinidad Guardian article published on 28th July, 2016, Carlene Grant was at work when a male relative unexpectedly arrived at her workplace, argued with her, then proceeded to stab her repeatedly before using a sledgehammer to the side of her head. 13th January, 2017.

Freetown Collective
Freetown Collective sings at a demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat'. Friday 13th January, 2017.

City Hall
City Hall stands behind a gathering of anti-crime demonstrators. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Pile
A pile of actors portray persons slain in 2016 because of violence and crime. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Barrel of Blood
A person wearing an 'I am Cristian Theatre' shirt carries a blue, plastic, drum containing simulated blood at an anti-crime demonstration held at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

We Learn as We Grow
Children take part in an anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Keep Calm and Stop Crime
In response to a death count of 463 persons killed through crime across Trinidad and Tobago in 2016, a demonstration is underway at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Now I Have no Sister
A small, yellow sign at an anti-crime demonstration held at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Marching
'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' is underway at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat
In response to a death count of 463 persons killed through crime across Trinidad and Tobago in 2016, a demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' is underway at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Marking Time
Actor, poet and performer, Idrees Salim, sets the rhythm for a chant of, "We will stop the bloodshed!" at an anti-crime demonstration underway at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Chanting
A demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Stop the Bullying
Sign at an anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat'. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

The Bloodshed
Simulated blood is poured onto Frederick Street to represent blood split through violence in 2016. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Together We Can Make a Difference
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Hope
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Value Life
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

One Equals One too Many
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Justice
An anti-crime demonstration takes place across from the Hall of Justice. Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

She Does Not Like It
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Demonstrate
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

It's Not too Late
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat
An anti-crime demonstration called 'Together We Take a Stand, Not a Seat' at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

Crime Buster?
A newspaper present at an anti-crime demonstration at Woodford Square, Port of Spain. Friday 13th January, 2017.

The demonstration began with a few spoken-word pieces by local poets, followed by a performance by DMAD in which actors silently mimed a few common incidents of brutality. As actors were ‘slain’, their bodies were piled onto the Woodford Square grass, followed by the gathered demonstrators lying on the ground as well, as though dead.

After lying in silence for roughly ten minutes, Freetown Collective performed a sombre song before the gathered demonstrators began chanting, “We will stop the bloodshed!” They walked the perimeter of Woodford Square. Large, blue drums of simulated blood were poured onto Frederick Street, to symbolise the blood of slain victims staining the ground. Police were present and lent assistance in manging the flow of vehicular traffic.

The relatively short demonstration ended with few final songs by Freetown Collective, and the demonstrators applauding themselves, the performers, and the police for their assistance, and also acknowledging the dangerous job the protective services are tasked with.

Ardia Yearwood-Marchan
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-08-05/burnt-bodies-found-van

Rosemary Blackburn
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-08-28/murder-suicide-rocks-trincity

Apphia Janelle-Quamina
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20160828/news/who-killed-apphia-and-why

Carlene Grant
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-07-28/spurned-lover-beats-batters-guard-death-relatives-call-swift-justice