TTPS: NO Permission Requested Or Granted For Kaia Sealy Protest Outside DPP Office

UPDATE (6:00 PM): Police arrested prominent Kaia Sealy/Joshua Samaroo protest movement leader Alyssa Phillip, her mother, and another individual a short while ago this afternoon (Wednesday 27th May, 2026), during a strong Police crackdown near the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The arrests took place at the corner of Sackville and Richmond Streets in Port-of-Spain.

Superintendent Henry Baird of the Port-of-Spain Division personally intervened during the operation, detaining Phillip and her mother before escorting them into a marked Police vehicle, as stunned supporters and reporters looked on. It is unclear what charges the trio will face, if any.

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The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said it is aware of the planned protest being circulated for today (Wednesday 27th May, 2026). However, the TTPS notes that “no permission has been requested or granted for this event.” 

The planned protest action was scheduled to take place at 4:00 PM this afternoon, outside the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in support of Kaia Sealy. The protest forms part of the ongoing “19 Bullets, 19 Protests” campaign being led by friends and supporters of Sealy and her deceased partner, Joshua Samaroo, who was shot and killed by Police on 20th January, 2026, following a pursuit. Sealy was critically injured during that controversial incident.

However, in a Media Release on Tuesday (26th May, 2026), the TTPS said it “acknowledges the concerns being expressed by members of the public in relation to the recent developments in a high-profile matter currently being investigated. The TTPS recognizes and respects the constitutional right of citizens to express their views and to engage in peaceful protest and lawful public demonstration.”

At the same time, the TTPS said it “wishes to remind the national community that Trinidad and Tobago remains under a State of Emergency, and as such, certain legal provisions are currently in effect in the interest of maintaining public safety, peace, and national security.”

According to the TTPS, in particular, under Section 11 of the Emergency Powers Regulations, no person shall:

(a) endeavour, whether orally or otherwise, to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety.

“The country is currently under a State of Emergency (SOE), and under the Emergency Powers Regulations, the TTPS is vested with expanded authority to prohibit, restrict, and disperse any gathering where there is a threat to public order, safety, or national security. Any attempt to assemble in protest without authorization during the SOE will be regarded as a direct violation of the law. The TTPS will take immediate enforcement action, including dispersal, arrests, and prosecution of organizers and participants,” the TTPS said.

The Service warns that, “Appropriate Police resources will be deployed to prevent any unlawful assembly at the proposed location. Individuals are strongly warned that participation in such activity places them at serious legal risk.”

The TTPS is urging all to “act responsibly and to refrain from engaging in unlawful conduct. There are established, lawful channels to address concerns, and those must be respected.”

The Media Release concluded by saying, “The TTPS remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the continued safety and stability of the nation during this period. Citizens are encouraged to exercise restraint, act responsibly, and co-operate with law enforcement authorities in maintaining public order.”

Protest organizer Alyssa Phillip told supporters during an Instagram Live broadcast on Sunday night (24th May, 2026) that she had already notified authorities about the planned demonstrations. “I already sent them the notice, allyuh we need to beat the iron while it is hot,” she said.

“We have more questions to ask. We have our voices to be heard, and the main thing with this is that we have to keep this story hot. We have to keep talking about it, regardless if they take it seriously or not. We have to continue talking about it, whether or not they are paying any attention. We have to make sure we are in their ears every time, over and over and over,” she added.

Phillip also outlined plans for further action later in the week. “On Friday [29th May, 2026], we head to Forensic Science Centre, but for now the focus is pushing the protest on Wednesday, the 27th of May, 4 pm in front of the DPP’s office...We are asking you to come with the same energy, the same love. The protest today [Sunday 24th May, 2026] went really well.”

More on this as it becomes available.

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