Announcing a new phase in its operations, the People’s Parliament on Saturday said that it would end the 24-hour occupation of the public park at High Street and Brickdam. The group of citizens said their work would intensify in several ways.
The end of the 24-hour occupation after two and a half months came following last week’s attempt by Housing and Water Ministry workers to evict the movement from the square. Placards, banners and posters which were torn down by the ministry workers were reclaimed within minutes by members of the group and replaced at the site. Prior to this the Ministry had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the group to move.
In their statement on Saturday, the group noted that the movement had begun in response to the Linden crisis of July 18.
“We found ourselves unable to just sit quietly by and continue life as normal in the face of this outrageous state violence and murder of peaceful protesters. Inspired by the solidarity shown by the people of Linden, we launched this action in Georgetown to show our support and to make the point that the issues faced by Lindeners were issues that affected all Guyanese.”
It said that its 24-hr occupation of the park has been an attempt to engage with fellow Guyanese and to motivate “positive social action towards transforming Guyanese society”.
Saying that there was a lot more to be done, the group said it was nevertheless proud of what had been achieved.
“While there is a lot more work to be done, we are proud of what we have achieved thus far. An action initiated by a handful of women, has, over the months, captured the imagination of people from near and far, and started to grow into a movement that has the potential to effect substantive social change. Over the weeks and months, we have not just mourned the dead; we have begun to re-connect with the power of the living. Beginning as strangers, we have shared time, space, bread, hopes, dreams, and ideas with one another, and turned into brothers and sisters. Baked by the sun, bathed by the rain, and soothed by the moon and stars, we have connected with one another on deep, fundamental levels- professor to junkie, youth to elder, worker to jobless, African to Indian, gay to straight, and all in between; we have learnt from one another, challenged and been challenged, and grown in immeasurable ways.”
It said that in the second phase of operations it will be closely following the activities in the National Assembly and illuminating the matters discussed. It will also be pressing for action on issues highlighted in the People’s petition recently submitted to Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman.
It says it will be advocating for a reduction in the VAT and tax reform, a national living income, local government elections, anti-corruption investigations, freedom of information, and the fulfillment of constitutional obligations.
It said that it will also be interacting more with the private sector, religious communities and other sections of civil society both on the coast and in the hinterland.
The group says it remains steadfast to working outside of party politics and all are welcome to join.
For further information, contact thepeoplesparliamentguyana@gmail.com, or call 672-3483. The group can also be followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook com /Occupyguyanagt and via Twitter @ occupyguyanagt.
