“All of the soup fall off Ramotar,” one woman said, shaking her body with vigour. She was one of the thousands assembled outside Public Buildings yesterday to witness the commencement of Guyana’s 11th Parliament.
A surprisingly blazing hot afternoon, given that rain had poured yesterday morning and in the preceding days, saw people with their umbrellas up. Most of them were middle-aged and senior citizens. Vendors took advantage of the opportunity, selling water to the thirsty onlookers. A vendor said he was selling “coalition chips.” When asked what ‘coalition chips’ were, the man said the chips were yellow, but the plantains green, hence they have coalesced.
As they awaited the beginning of the proceedings, people could be heard commenting about reports that the PPP had intentions of staging a protest. One of them said the PPP “could only talk,” but it was “a bluff.” Another said, “The PPP can’t come hay. Cause they know why.” No one from the PPP showed up at the 11th Parliament to protest. However, the party did stage another protest in front of the Guyana Elections Commission.
Among those outside Public Buildings was activist Mark Benschop, who ran at the general elections but failed to secure any seats. He jokingly said that he was there to collect his seat.
There was a heavy police presence. A lot of streets in the area were barricaded. The police had no difficulty controlling the crowd. Persons were busy giving their point of view on the political shift in Guyana. “Ya ain’t gah wonder if they thiefing de money because everything you seeing live, yes!” were some of the comments shouted as people waited for event to begin.
As the Guyana flag was raised at 1.30 pm, a section of the crowd began to engage the soldiers. “Look how allyuh smile fi put up de flag,” they said. “Doan worry, Granger raising allyuh salary.” A policeman who was close to the people smiled.
When Members of Parliament arrived, they were met with loud applause but when President David Granger arrived the crowd roared and for the first time the police had to actually work to control some people.
The crowd seemed proud to stand at attention when the National Anthem played. Members of the Joint Services, decked in red, white and green and navy and white received roaring applause from the crowd when they marched into the compound as their combined band played drums, trombones and other musical instruments. One zealous woman shouted, “Go Guyana Go! Guyana back on its feet! Thank you Jesus! Guyana back on its feet.”
Meanwhile, many in the crowd said they appreciated the playing of Dave Martins and the Tradewinds’ “Not A Blade O’ Grass.” They said it was playing at the right time cause of the latest Venezuelan decree.
The murder of activist Courtney Crum-Ewing was also on people’s minds. Crum-Ewing was killed execution style earlier this year in Diamond, while he was urging people to vote. Several persons were seen with his picture and someone had nailed a picture of him to the fence of the People’s Park.
Rights activist Sherlina Nageer said the opening of the 11th Parliament coincided with Crum-Ewing’s birthday and she wanted to remember him. Nageer said the police are still investigating and hopefully the new government will see to it that justice is served for the slain activist.
In relation to the reopening of what was dubbed the People’s Park opposite Parliament, Nageer said she was happy to be there observing democracy. She said she hopes this becomes the norm and the new administration will continue the practice.
Bystander Lloyd Thomas said, “The event was splendid and very good, it’s the first time we have the outdoor screen and the public got to see the swearing in.”
Desiree Sealey said she never thought she would live to see a day like yesterday. Sealey said it was the first time she was seeing the swearing in of MPs and she thanked God for witnessing the event. She said the last 23 years were depressing and she had been through a tunnel and has now seen the light.
Lester Fields called the event overwhelming adding that he would like to believe it was the dawn of a new era. Fields said he felt the energy of people who stood next to him when the President arrived and that made him overjoyed. The man said he usually did not attend such events, but he wanted to witness it for himself.
