Dear Editor,
On March 28, 2009, London echoed to the sound of protest as more than one hundred and twenty organizations took to the streets in demonstration. Representatives of countless organizations from around the world delivered speeches calling on world leaders to put people first in this global economic crisis.
There was a unified call for action on poverty, jobs and climate change. The demonstration was held a week ahead of the G20 Summit where world leaders, including US President Barack Obama will gather in London to map out a blueprint to address the world’s troubles. This first protest will be followed by a series of other demonstrations leading up to the G20 Summit this week. The security forces are anticipating trouble on the day of the summit; the police force has cancelled any time off on that day for its policemen.
The power of demonstration takes precedence, reminding the world that protest action is still effective in exposing and disrupting corruption in the channels of power; effective in creating awareness and forging unity to achieve a common goal. I was fortunate to have interviewed Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, who is also is a key organizer of Saturday’s historic demonstration in London.
While interviewing Mr Barber at Hyde Park, I thought of the deafening silence of our opposition leaders, amidst the glaring travesties committed almost daily by the Government of Guyana. Sadly, the powerful and effective tool of protest action seems to be a thing of the past in Guyana. Clico went down in silence. President Jagdeo made a mockery of this nation by justifying abuse of women in the way he treated his common-law spouse. He not only brought the weakness of his character to surface, he made the presidency a laughing stock of the Caribbean and the civilized world. The nation remained silent. The Guyana government relaxes and continues to get on with business as usual with perversity that would make any decent minded politician anywhere in the world shudder.
Robert Corbin and Raphael Trotman need to tell the people of Guyana whom they represent why they have become inept. These two leaders are yet to offer any tangible answers to the suffering, battered and bruised Guyanese masses who are crying out for solid and trustworthy leadership. It is time for visible representation. It is time the leaders to connect with the people to expose and disrupt the channel of corruption in the heart of this administration.
If I ever meet Vincent Alexander in person I will apologize to him for publicly supporting Robert Corbin over him. But Mr Alexander must understand that as a seasoned politician he must suffice and influence the populace. His time is not over yet.
The world is moving together with one voice in protest against its global leadership. People have had enough. Will the Guyanese populace move to that same rhythm?
Yours faithfully,
Norman Browne
