00:00Pan Trinbago's President Beverly Ramsey Moore has criticized the handling of the confrontation between police and members of Silver Stars
00:08Steel Orchestra, insisting that a lack of understanding of steel band culture contributed to the incident.
00:15She was speaking at Pan Trinbago's August Feast Rhythm and Rise Pan Passion Annual Church Service and the Blessing of
00:23the Flags on Sunday, as she addressed the fallout from last month's confrontation at Tribe Band Lunch at the Queen's
00:30Park Savannah.
00:31Ramsey Moore argued that steel bands operate within a highly disciplined structure, with players accustomed to following instructions of their
00:40captains and leaders.
00:42The most disciplined place that you can find, maybe after the church, is the panyards.
00:50When you walk into a panyard, you walk into a safe and sacred space.
00:59You walk into a place where music, an element of worship, is being played.
01:07She said the relationship between a steel band captain and its players is built around discipline and immediate obedience.
01:15When you walk into a panyard and the captain takes just one stick and knocks that pan, every single man
01:24Jack knows that it's time to be still.
01:28It's time to be silent.
01:32She argues that musicians should not be expected to get involved in disputes between promoters and authorities while they are
01:41focused on performing.
01:42My focus is to perform.
01:45I don't know about your arrangement through the courts with the promoter.
01:51I am here to deliver.
01:54I am here to perform.
01:57I am on a mission.
02:00So my business is not with you.
02:03My business is to perform.
02:06And if a law is being broken, that is not about me.
02:11I am here to perform.
02:13You go to the promoter and then the promoter comes to my leader.
02:19Ramsey Moore says a greater understanding of steel band culture and protocol could have helped prevent the confrontation.
02:27Five Silver Stars players were arrested following the incident with police after the steel band continued playing shortly after 2
02:35a.m.
02:35Police charged the players with obscene language, disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.
02:41One of the players were also charged with assaulting a police officer.
02:46Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News
02:48One of the players was charged with assaulting a police officer.
02:49One of the players were charged with assaulting a police officer.
02:49One of the players were charged with assaulting a police officer.
02:51One of the players were charged with assaulting a police officer.
02:52One of the players were charged with assaulting a police officer.
02:52One of the players were charged with assaulting a police officer.
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