Although Dennis Atwell has taken to the streets in protest close to two dozen times with no seemingly significant results, he is undeterred.
Atwell resumed his protesting once more yesterday when he picketed in front of the United Nations (UN) building on Brickdam, demanding that the UN speak out against the recent claim of Essequibo by the Venezuelan government.
Most of Atwell’s protests in the city were in front of the Venezuelan Embassy, but he has now targeted the UN in the light of the recent build-up of Venezuelan troops on its border with Guyana.
The lone protester said that he is very determined and he will not stop protesting until President Nicolas Maduro withdraws his claims to Guyana’s territory.
Although he has been standing alone during his protests, with no encouragement from anyone, Atwell said that he will not be discouraged nor discontinue his actions, as he is a patriotic Guyanese and will proudly defend his country.
“Nobody never call to encourage me about the protest or anything but that will not bother me and I will continue to fight for my country with a pledge of my life,” Atwell said.
Atwell stood bracing two huge images of the map of Guyana carved from plyboard as he struggled to keep them standing in the midmorning wind. Several flags, including that of Guyana were flying from erected flag poles.
Some of the messages on his placards declare: ‘Not a blade of grass,’ ‘Act now UN, it is time,’ ‘Maduro, we are 100% Guyanese and 100% Essequibians, we will remain so, not Venezuelans.’
“I am very disturbed about Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s maritime border and land space, but I wish that good sense will prevail… because the time for talking is over, since, clearly Venezuela has violated the international law by illegally entering Guyana’s waterways,” Atwell stated, while hoping for UN intervention, including the deployment of peacekeeping troops along the border if Caracas is unwilling to back down.
“I say to the UN to act now and stop playing around because this is serious business we dealing with,” he urged.
Atwell recalled that he was a little boy when his father, a former soldier, was part of the armed forces deployed at Guyana’s border to protect against illegal invasion.
“I used to be amongst the soldiers who used to come with my father at our home about 2 am to 3 am for coffee and biscuit which my mother prepared and left for me to serve to them. And although I was very afraid of the weapons, I used to be right there when the soldiers [were] cleaning and shining their weapons,” he said.
Being exposed at a very young age to that kind of environment, Atwell said, has ignited a passion in him to fight for Guyana’s rights and freedom. His father is now deceased but Atwell believes that it is his duty to continue the fight.
“It is surprising to me that people are going about their normal business without thinking about the consequences should Vene-zuela snatch Essequibo,” Atwell declared, as he further related that Essequibo is like a bread basket for the Guyanese population and should it be taken by Venezuela, it will result in serious crises arising.
Calls were also made by the protester for all Guyanese, regardless if they have migrated to other parts of the world, to stand up against the claims of Venezuela.
Atwell further said the Venezuelan president has violated the spirt of former presidents Hugo Chavez and Simon Bolivar.
Atwell also said that he sees the Venezuelan population as brothers and sisters and he believes the two countries can achieve a lot should they resolve the issue and work together.
