SCORES of citizens held hands and formed a ring around the Red House yesterday in a symbolic gesture aimed at representing the defence of the country's democracy.

The initiative which was organised by lobby group Fixin' T&T was scheduled to start around 5 p.m. yesterday.

"Concerned citizens" yesterday answered Fixin' T&T's call despite the sky being overcast.

Participants in the "chain link of people power" were asked to sign a petition.

Chairman of Fixin' T&T chairman Kirk Waithe addressed the crowd.

"What I want to let you all know is that the rain not stopping this because rain does not stop bad governance, rain does not stop corruption, rain does not stop nepotism, rain does not stop any of those things, rain cannot stop, it must not stop the journey to good, honest, transparent and accountable governance," he said.

Around 5.18 p.m. the group began to walk around the Red House starting in a northerly direction along Abercromby Street.

The group walked to the music of Chris 'Tambu' Herbert's "Journey" which was played from a music truck parked inside Woodford Square.

Waithe said yesterday's event was the start of the journey to good governance.

After the group circled the Red House three times they stopped.

Around 5.49 p.m. the group held hands and formed a circle around the Red House.

The national anthem was played and the group sang along.

Among those in attendance yesterday were several opposition Members of Parliament such as Dr Amery Browne, Alicia Hospedales and Donna Cox.

"There are many citizens from all walks of life here and I am pleased to join this march. This is a march for justice for Trinidad and Tobago, and accountability on the part of the government," Browne said.

Former calypso monarch Kurt Allen and his daughter Choc'late were also present.

"I want to represent the calypsonian, that we are not going to stay silent and only talk out when it is Carnival," Allen said.

President general of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU), Ancel Roget, was also present.