The year 2015 marks the fifth anniversary of the Campus Trendz tragedy when six young ladies lost their lives in a fire through a lawless act of violence.
The loss of lives caused by this heinous crime has left their families and friends still hurting to this day.??We in Barbados have been witnessing in recent times a level of violence to which we are not accustomed.
Since the last commemoration of the Campus Trendz tragedy, an alarming number of citizens have either lost their lives or have become disabled as a result of the increasing acts of violence. Many of these citizens were in the prime of their lives and included those who were gainfully employed and contributing to the development of our society.
In view of this, it is vital that all Barbadians lend support to the efforts of the authorities as they seek to tackle this burgeoning problem and to bring to justice those who, through their cowardly actions, have exhibited a blatant disregard for human life. In addition, we must also be resolute in our efforts to convince this small group of individuals in the society that violence does not solve problems.
We have a duty to urge and assist them to return to those Christian values which have so ably guided their parents and fore-parents. In this regard, I wish to applaud all those in civil society including the Church, schools, parents and guardians who are working assiduously to assist the youth to learn how to solve problems amicably.
The Government of Barbados fully supports the request from the September 3rd Foundation Inc. to commemorate the anniversary of the Campus Trendz tragedy and calls on all Barbadians to observe a minute???s silence at noon on Thursday, September 3, 2015 in memory not only of those persons who lost their lives on September 3, 2010 but also those who, through violent acts, lost their lives since September 3, 2014.
I encourage all Barbadians, therefore, to work together through the use of interventionist strategies, to address the problems faced as a result of the criminal elements in our society so that we can rescue not only the deviant few but ensure that the unacceptable behavior currently being exhibited does not become the norm.