Dear Editor,
As someone with an interest in race I was appalled, but not surprised at the Guyana Chronicle editorial of July 2 which dehumanised and criminalised African-Guyanese. I found the analogy between Linden and Buxton to be particularly ominous.
The government has not only been experiencing problems with not being in control of Parliament, but their aim is to subvert the previous system of local government by implementing IMCs with their own nominated people.
The most recent case is that the people of Kwakwani do not even know that they have an IMC or that they have been nominated to the said body.
If this continues, the PPP will be running the entire country, although not in control of Parliament, through their nominees. The government is attempting to not only obtain total control of the society, but is doing it by driving fear into those who are likely to object to their agenda.
The statement by the Prime Minister that he continues “to look for quiet, resigned acceptance” by Lindeners to the proposed subsidy reduction is outrageous and suggests that he expects the community to be like him rather than take the hardships of active resistance.
I was pleased to read the many responses by members of society to the editorial. I was also stunned by the lack of political will by the opposition political parties, whose constituents are principally Africans, to deal with and confront the editorial.
I was appalled by the Leader of the PNCR who stated that the party will not deal with the issue and it must be left to civil society. It seems that the party which the majority of Africans feel represents them prefers to rest on the somewhat civilised behaviour of doing nothing and hoping that someone else will do it for them.
The leaders of the Linden community are showing clearly that the government must reflect the wishes of the group and if, as is being maintained by the community, it is speaking with one voice and is expressing its unanimity by way of a strike, then every effort must be made to support the said strike which seems as all events to be peaceful. The recent violence by the police at Linden shows clearly that the strike is not a mere superficial act of the leaders but is more deep seated in that the business community which will eventually suffer the most, facilitated their workers‘ absence to take part in the event.
The action by the police would appear to have been unwarranted and an attempt by the authorities to enforce their authority by any means. In any case, the police officer shows clearly that he was untrained to confront what was really a civil situation of people seeking to enforce their rights.
The unlawful killings at Linden show clearly that the police were not trained to deal with this minor irritation – eg, the blocking of a bridge which did not seem to hinder their freedom of movement.
The criticism of the Government of Guyana shows clearly that it leans against the African community whenever there is a disputed issue of fact, and the editorial of July 2, is a clear indication of this mindset.
Yours faithfully,
Kean Gibson