The United National Congress extends greetings to individuals of Trinidad and Tobago, especially those of African decent, as we celebrate 169 years after freedom.

They wish that all Emancipation Celebrations will have an opportunity to free the national community of shackles of mental slavery, and an ever increasing government induced syndrome.

In a release today, they lamented that slaves were given the gift of themselves, they were able to own their own bodies, offspring, and their possessions, but subsequently the residue of slavery lingers on.

They even pointed out the fact that they granted a public holiday to celebrate Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day, also a 25 acre parcel of land was issued to the African Organisation for construction of an Educational Complex and Spiritual Park.

They urged individuals to cultivate economic independence of their parents who struggled and gave up their lives, and maintained that we return to strong family values that characterize our ancestors.