Pubdate: Sun, 2 Mar 2008
Source: Trinidad Express (Trinidad)
Copyright: 2008 Trinidad Express
Contact:  http://www.trinidadexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1093
Author: Yolandra John

FABIEN DOES HIS FREEDOM WALK

Over 200 people walked in support of Errol Fabiens "Freedom Walk for 
a drug free T&T" at midnight yesterday.

The Sunday Express was on hand as Project Manager Neil Giuseppi 
thanked and welcomed the walkers, most of whom wore white t-shirts 
with the name of the march printed on their chest.

Beginning at 12.01 a.m., the 24-hour walk was said to be the first 
time anyone has ever made that major step and commitment to walk from 
Icacos to the Audrey Jeffers Highway at MovieTowne on the Western 
Pennisula for a drug free country.

As the walk began, silence filled the air as everyone respected 
Fabien's wishes for silence. Walking alongside Fabien was well-known 
calypsonian and Parliamentarian Winston "Gypsy" Peters and Councillor 
Kazim Hosein of the San Fernando City Corporation. All were silent 
throughout the walk.

The chirping of crickets, the screeching of the cars that shone their 
lights ever so often on the walkers and the shuffle of footsteps that 
echoed through the streets of Icacos were all that were heard in the 
still of the night.

Tight security was present as the police and the army made their 
contribution towards the walk. Army personnel also distributed water 
and energy drinks to walkers from sponsors Dasani and Powerade.

Junior Bisnath, founder of the Kaisokah Moko Jumbies, held the flag 
of Trinidad and Tobago proudly as he led the walkers throughout the 
different villages.

Express spoke with Bisnath in a brief interview. He said "anywhere 
there is any thing to uplift our country I'm present alongside my 
moko jumbies." Mckane Wardally, one of the moko jumbies, led the 
walkers on his stilts from Icacos to Cedros.

Along the way walkers crossed parts with villagers who were involved 
in their Hosay celebrations who also supported Fabien by cheering him 
on and forming a guard of honour with their hands. For most onlookers 
and walkers, it was an emotional event.

The three-hour long walk stopped promptly at 3 a.m. at Cedros and 
Fabien was driven to his next starting point at the Guapo Government 
Primary School.

During the break at Guapo, army personnel distributed breakfast to 
the walkers and the walk resumed at 4.10 a.m.

With over 200 people at the starting point, many villagers were very 
supportive of the event, saying while the walk was silent, they hoped 
that the message was clear. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake