By Cathy Richards and Frances Abraham
President Donald Ramotar yesterday postponed an announced visit to Linden, which observers say could have been the catalyst for ending the ongoing protest, on the advice of the Heads of the Joint Services, following their failure to remove barricades blocking access to the town.
While some protestors were upset, others yesterday said they were not disappointed by the President’s no-show, since they never believed he had any intention of visiting Linden, which is why they maintained their barricades.
A statement from the Office of the President yesterday afternoon said it “regrets to inform the Linden community and the public” that the President would not be visiting Linden yesterday, but did not give a new date for his visit.
According to the statement, earlier at 6.50 am yesterday, the Joint Services Heads had informed the President of their difficulties controlling protesters obstructing the Kara Kara access bridge to Linden.
Later at 2.30 pm, the statement said, the Heads of the Joint Services further informed the President of their failure to remove the obstructions by the protesters at the Kara Kara Bridge, at which time the President decided to postpone the visit.
“The Office of the President expresses regrets at the cancellation of the planned visit, particularly to those stakeholders who had assembled at Watooka House for the planned public meeting and consultations with the President and his delegation,” the statement said.
‘Ill advised’
Lennox Gasper, a private businessman, said he felt he needed to join the protest as the manner of approach to Lindeners by the Head of State and the officers under his command left much to be desired. “This here is not democracy; not democracy at all. No way. Ten days after unarmed citizens were gunned down by the police who were supposed to protect, the Office of the President put out a … statement that further angered protesters. Where is leadership? Where is the servant of the people? [Former president Bharrat] Jagdeo would never have allowed this to get to this stage,” said Gasper angrily. He further said that he felt the President was being ill advised; otherwise he would have flown in or even driven in and spoken with residents at the bridge.
This was endorsed by several others who added that since it was the people who were calling on the President to come, he should not have had any fear. “We need to hear from him face to face. This sudden decision to come yesterday was because they felt ashamed because the people from the embassy was coming and the government of this country didn’t set one foot to come to its own,” said a man who gave his name only as Marvin.
Vice President of the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development, who was adamant about making a statement, but did not want his name published, said, “I wonder what it is that the government and the President want to say to Lindeners by their action of not coming to meet with the people and residents Linden?”
He said that as members of the chamber which represents the business community of Linden they cannot refuse to interact with the government and are still opened to such interactions, though disappointed by the no-show yesterday.
He added that the chamber has adopted 100% the positions advanced by the Regional Democratic Council and will or has never intended to discuss otherwise with the government. He cautioned that residents would not do anything that would cause potential investors to rethink their intentions to invest in the town.
Contacted, Regional Chairman Kuice Sharma Solomon said he had always advised that the discussions be held in a less tense environment, owing to the atmosphere in Linden. He said it was clear that his advice was not given much consideration. Solomon said he found the statement issued out of the Office of the President was even a bit inflammatory.
Solomon was forced to return to the stage on Friday night approximately one hour after he would have addressed residents at a public meeting, with the news of the intended visit of the President.
Yesterday Solomon said that he was not informed of the visit prior to the press release, which indicated that he was contacted. “Yes, they attempted to call me because I did see the missed call. But at the time, I was on stage addressing residents,” he said. He added that before he could have returned the call, which was answered by Advisor to the President on Governance Gail Teixeira, the release was already out in public domain.
Highway blocked
Protestors yesterday moved to block the Linden/Soesdyke Highway in the vicinity of Bamia.
“We are doing this so everyone can have a feel of what the people in the heart of Linden is going through. It is not fair to some people to not be working and others to be able to access the roads and go to town and get food and do as they please because when the benefits come it won’t come only to those in the heart of Linden it will come to everybody,” one man who sat comfortably on one of the two logs told this newspaper when approached.
He, along with others at this particular blockade, strongly declined to have a photo taken of the barriers and tent they had erected and under which they planned to rest for the remainder of the day and evening.
When asked why they moved from inside the mining town, the man said because that is the only one point of entry and exit. “There’s no cross streets to get into the ward or anywhere as people were doing and we are going to continue to block it off… nobody is passing in and nobody is passing out,” he asserted.
As regards the President’s no-show, while some residents shrugged it off, others were upset. “The President ain’t got no time with nobody. All we looking for is justice. We looking for he tek off everything from the light. We ain’t paying more because people ain’t working here. He can come with chopper. Why can’t he come? The other day when they de want dem body, how they get them? They send chopper! So why he can’t come? He don’t have to come through the road. He just want the road clear. Ramotar didn’t plan on coming here, he ain’t want come,” one man said furiously.
When quizzed about their reaction to the postponed visit of diplomats, the protestors said they would be welcomed.
“We were ready to welcome the diplomats. They tell them Linden is a security risk, don’t come but we were ready to welcome them. We will welcome them. We are not a violent crowd. The reason for this blockage is for them to realize how important Linden is. Lethem crying out for fuel, Mahdia crying out for fuel and food, let them know,” one person said.
Another reiterated the hardships faced in Linden, noting that there are no employment opportunities and further suggested that the government should have gradually introduced the increase in power tariffs.
“Linden is a place that ain’t got no job. You can’t compare we to Georgetown. People is left Linden and go to Georgetown and all over to work because here don’t have jobs. The thing is, this is a high jump. If they de do it slowly we won’t even know. This year put $5, next year put $10; we won’t even know but that is a big leap,” the man reasoned. “It got some people light is get cut off for this same rate and you gon give them this now?” he queried.
Kara Kara Bridge
Earlier on in the day the joint services advanced to the Kara Kara Bridge at Mackenzie where residents had erected a block using large pieces of lumber. They moved in an orderly manner towards the block where a sizable crowd had gathered, with the Police TSU leading and an army officer behind, followed by the grader.
The crowd was dispersed from the bridge and the blockade was ripped away by the grader. The rails of the bridge were ripped off in the process.
Amidst shouts of “no retreat no surrender” residents insisted that they would not be removed. They then formed themselves into human barriers, backing the soldiers, and rolled several lengths of lumber back onto the bridge where they remained.
The joint services then advanced again on the bridge and attempted to clear the blockade. As the loader lifted a piece of lumber, angry residents ran under the bucket and insisted that they would not be moved. There was wailing and weeping as some cried, “this is how Ramotar intend to give we justice?”
Speaking with this newspaper, a man said that the rails of the bridge were destroyed by the ranks who in the process of doing so, caused a man to fall overboard. This individual, he said, was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex. “They pull it down and throw them people pot wha they cooking in overboard. Throw people all overboard. The man fall in and he foot like it break or something,” one resident indicated.
“If the government de handle this thing different all this wonta happen. Today is the 10th or 11th day, people wonta been on the bridge, no building woulda burn and no road woulda block. Since they come up on the 18th and people end up dead. That’s how they handle this thing?” the man questioned.
At the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge residents have set up a large camp which blocks ingress and egress to Wismar. Persons are insisting that they will be maintaining their vigilance as meals are being prepared around the clock to keep protesters fed.
Meantime, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, expressing its deep concern over the prevailing situation, urged all stakeholders to be responsible and ensure there is free passage and movement through Region 10 to allow business activities to be conducted.
In a press release issued on Friday, the GCCI said that while it recognises the right to peaceful and legal civil protest and actions, “this should not infringe on the rights of other citizens to conduct their business and activities.
“We therefore call on all the stakeholders involved to be responsible and ensure that there is free passage and movement through Region 10. Additionally, we call on the government and authorities to ensure that law and order prevails in Linden.”
It pointed out that, “businesses have had to use alternative and more costly means to execute their operations which have led to some businesses being unable to meet their contractual obligations to customers and suppliers and some even face the risk of losing their contracts and markets, especially export-oriented businesses.”
Additionally, the chamber stated that it has received “numerous complaints from businesses operating in Linden that they have been unable to operate for over a week and this is putting immense pressure on their operations and some are fearful that if the situation persists they will have to close their establishments permanently.”
Additionally, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on Friday called on “the diehard Linden protesters and their organisers to allow their fellow Linde-ners…, their option and right to enter their workplace to exercise their democratic freedom to work.
“They have chosen to work because their cupboards are running bare and having to remain garrison-like at home is not and will not solve the larger problems identified.”
FITUG represents workers who are members of GAWU, GLU, NAACIE and CCWU and these workers are employed by the Linden Municipality, Linden Bridge, Bosai, insurance companies, Courts, NCN, Bai Shan Lin and Demerara Timbers, all situated in Region Ten, a news release issued by General Secretary Kenneth Joseph said.
He said Bosai’s management was reviewing its operations and potential investments in Region Ten.
“The company has told FITUG affiliate NAACIE that it is being viewed as unreliable and an investment risk, not being in a position to produce. Bauxite ships will leave empty. Employees are not being paid for days lost,” the release added.
“FITUG sees dialogue as much more sensible than disruption in this instance and the possibility of additional massive unemployment if Bosai folds.
“How does this advance the protesters causes?”
Even as FITUG appreciates government’s concessions and announcement of plans to review the electricity tariff issue, the technical team’s immediate work in the troubled town and the Private Sector Commission’s positive inputs, the federation said it is appealing to the protest organizers to allow employees their right to work and earn.
“Any other negative alternative is not an option. It’s also easy to consult these unionized employees as to their preferences,” the release concluded. (Additional reporting by Marcelle Thomas)
