The Alliance For Change and the Guyana Action Party say they are of the strong view that the unbridled celebration of Mashramani today will be inconsistent with the fear and frustrations of Guyanese being experienced at this time.
The traditional celebration will only add fuel to an already frightened society, confused as to what the country’s national priorities and focus are at present, the parties stated in a joint press release.
The AFC and GAP are, therefore, calling for Republic Day, February 23, 2008 “to be a day of national mourning, prayer and reflection.”
In that light, the parties are urging all Guyanese to “spend February 23 in a solemn manner and to have very limited celebrations at this time when there should be national mourning and to reflect on what has transpired in the last month and where we are headed.”
The parties are also urging the inter-religious organisations and all religious leaders to mark Republic Day observances by joining the call for a day of mourning, prayer and reflection.
However, the AFC and GAP acknowledged that in a democratic society people are free to do as they please but they ought to be aware of the concerns of others.
So for those who choose to celebrate Mash, the parties are suggesting that they wear a black armband or place a black flag/cloth on their vehicles or homes as a mark of respect.
These persons, the AFC and GAP said, “should be aware of the fact that the excessive use of alcohol and the images of merriment could, and are likely to be, considered insensitive and offensive to the families of victims and to the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who remain in shock and mourning at recent events. Celebrations should therefore be softened if they are to be proceeded with.”
Guyana is in a perilous state, the AFC and GAP declared, and only a combination of divine intervention and a display of unity at every level on the part of the country’s leaders will lead to the establishment of a just, peaceful and wholesome Republic.
The parties also called on all Guyanese to take time to honour and remember the lives lost in the Lusignan and Bartica massacres, and to reflect on the condition and ill health of the Republic on its 38th anniversary today.
Meantime, the AFC and GAP also expressed concern that the Guyana government was proceeding to host Mashramani celebrations in the midst of the recent killing of 23 persons and the displacement of many communities as the joint services hunt for the perpetrators.
