Dear Editor,
While next year will mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the most famous constitutional document in England’s history, it is of note that October 6, 2014 marks the 34th Anniversary of the imposition of the controversial 1980 Constitution of Guyana. It was a red letter day in the life of the Guyanese nation, a day to remember. It is one that continues to haunt us.
Since the United Kingdom four years ago launched a landmark parliamentary inquiry into whether it should codify its constitution, then it is certainly time for us to ponder the implications of the 1980 Constitution of Guyana for ourselves as a nation. It is only by retracing our footsteps through this harsh, barren period that we can fully understand what transpired 34 years ago, and since. It was a moment that gave added impetus to the involuntary migration of half of our population, and the ruin of an entire nation.
We believe that it is time for us as Guyanese to effectively channel our energies and efforts to effect real and significant change in both our constitution and our social praxis, if we are to address the palpable sense that things are falling apart.
To this end, and especially at this time of social anomie, the call goes out to every Guyanese to raise our voices, pour out our hearts, and commit our will to create a new vision for the new, revitalised society we wish to create for ourselves in Guyana.
On behalf of fellow citizens with whom I have consulted, including social commentator and national essayist Mr GHK Lall, and economist Dr Thomas B Singh, I therefore invite everyone to participate in a vigil on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, from 10 am-1pm at the Square of the Revolution to mark October 6 – the 34th anniversary of the imposition of the 1980 Constitution of Guyana. This vigil is being organised to initiate the creation of a readiness for constitutional change.
“There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’t is not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.”
Let us, as a nation use this occasion, as Hamlet did, to come to terms with our destiny.
Yours faithfully,
Desmond Ali
Guyana United Artists
