Main opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) yesterday continued its protests to demand that President Donald Ramotar reconvene the Parliament.
Approximately 64 persons were seen picketing outside of the Office of the President (OP) yesterday morning, with placards in hand while shouting, “No to dictatorship, yes to democracy,” “Ramotar must go, and PPP must go,” and “We demand the reconvening of Parliament.”
Speaking at the protest was deputy APNU leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who stated that the coalition has civil society organisations on board and will be bringing in non-governmental entities to widen the movement and to step up activities so that the larger population is awakened.
Several protestors told Stabroek News that they had requested time off from their jobs to be there yesterday morning. Asked if their participation in the protest will in some way change the mind of the President, one protestor replied, “Look around; things not running smoothly, corruption and confusion everywhere, nobody got time, government turning them face, is only protest does get people what them want. So, that is why we come out. And everybody should come out too.”
Another protestor said that the Guyanese population would not give in to dictatorship and emphasised that the Ramotar administration must go.
Ramotar, on November 10, prorogued the Parliament in order to forestall a planned debate and vote on a no-confidence motion against his government in the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
Analysts, however, have criticised his exercise of the prorogation option, saying it is anti-democratic, while the president has said he made the decision in order to create space for dialogue.
Opposition leader David Granger has since refused an invitation for engagement outside of the National Assembly, while several local civil society groups have demanded the reconvening of the Parliament.
Despite several call, the President has said that the prorogation could last until the New Year.
