TOA SAMOA SUPPORTER'S PARADE PERMIT ISSUED
Parade Permit From M.O.P.P
Photo: Supplied
A police permit that was signed by members of a local car club and
Samoa Outreach Community Centre (S.O.C.C) member Annie Smith,
legitimised the event and gave green light for the public motorcade on
Saturday in support of the Toa Samoa.
Annie Smith, who is the event organiser of the Samoa Outreach
Community, told EyeSpy Radio about their approach to get legal
proceedings for the parade via the permit. The much anticipated parade
was an event they organised until they saw the notice on the Samoa
Police facebook page which was posted on Friday 4th November. So they
moved quickly.
Toa Samoa Supporters Parade.
Photo: Supplied
"We had to get a permit as we've been planning to do the parade in
support of the boys in blue" says Annie.
Together with Noel Sanft and Agnes Uhrle who are both members of the
famous V8 Car Club here in Samoa , the three proceeded to obtain the
permit from the police. When they met with the Police Acting
Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga , they were briefed on signing
legal paperwork to allow them to proceed with the motorcade.
According to Ms Annie Smith who was abit confused as to why they were
restricted in such gatherings , Afamasaga explained to her that the
first parade that was conducted on Sunday 23rd October had a lot of
public disturbance and misconduct but no serious signs of trouble.
"It was the loud noises and car horns that were just part of the
disturbance but nothing more" she says.
After signing paperwork on Friday noon , they were then instructed by
the Police on the locations of the rally which were from Tuanaimato
,Vaitele , Apia Town Clock and the Vaisigano Bridge. The duration
given and that was agreed upon was 3hours from 4pm-7pm, and were only
allowed 60 vehicles to participate.
Come the day of the parade Saturday 5th November, a fleet of vehicles
have already set to ride together with the other 60 vehicles that were
given permission already. Ms Annie Smith explained that they had no
idea the turn up would be big..."we were shocked"
"Other people were already planning to participate and they lined up
to celebrate and show their support for the game" she said.
"We couldn't control it as other people just randomly wanted to join
the motorade line up" she added.
She also stated that they were also joined together with the public
walking in town , people started waving their flags and shouted ''go
toa'' and ''go blue''. Atmospherically exciting and adrenaline pumping
for people of the nation..."they were just showing their support" she
said in a phone interview with Eye Spy Radio.
Mrs Annie Smith highlighted the important work of the Police that day
and acknowledged their courage and hard work despite the pouring rain
where they kept standing and managed the public. ''Kudos to the police
and their work , they did amazing".
Now with the Toa Samoa going up against England for the semi-finals
this coming weekend. There will be expectations for
another parade to continue the nation's support for the boys in blue
on their next historic match , there for applying for another permit.