Dear Editor,
Contrary to reports, including in the media, the vigil taking place on a public park on High Street between Brickdam and Hadfield Street is not a Red Thread initiative; it is something far more unusual in Guyana and therefore far more significant – an initiative by individual Guyanese at home and in the diaspora to come together to occupy a space where Guyanese could meet to begin the work of rebuilding “a society based on justice and human rights.” What spurred the initiative was the response of the state to the demand by the community of Linden for the removal of the 800% rate hike on electricity; shooting unarmed protestors is the most extreme form of denial of the rights of “ordinary” people, acting on their own behalf and in their own name, to say what kind of community and what kind of country they want to live in.
The police have dismantled and seized the two tents which the vigilers were using for shelter and as a place in which people could share their views with each other directly, and not through their “representatives.” But the tents and the vigilers were not impeding traffic so why should they not be allowed to remain? There is no state of emergency in force.
Many people on the coast have been confused and frightened by the statements coming from the government, and the reports we have been seeing in the media.
Government spokespersons appear to be saying that Lindeners have no right to question and resist the government’s decision to increase the electricity rates in that town. Judging from official responses to statements which condemned the police escalation, it would appear that the police are under instructions to stifle any public expression of dissatisfaction with the government’s conduct of public business, and they are being deployed to maintain a situation where we go about our business of day to day survival, allowing the political (party) agencies and organisations that meet government’s approval to decide among themselves how to dispose of our future. We will be allowed a voice only if we intend to cheer their decisions.
The vigil in Georgetown aims at overcoming our confusions and fears. Beginning on the evening of August 15, at 3pm on August 16 it has now continued for over 20 hours. Trying to break it up is an attempt by the state, through the police, to outlaw another peaceful assembly, one designed to mourn the Linden dead and injured and support the demands they were making when they were shot. It is also designed to raise questions and propose answers; to assert our constitutional right to freely associate and assemble; and to insist that the police and army not be used as a means of repressing sentiments the government finds objectionable.
We are all Lindeners.
Yours faithfully,
Andaiye
Karen de Souza
Red Thread
