Dear Editor,
This present administration has had some glaring successes mixed with missed opportunities, which speak of human failures and successes that comes in the same package of life experiences.
Now, there were many lost opportunities at the flag-raising ceremony, and as I sat in the stand, there were many instances where I would have graded this administration with a ‘D’. I will point out three.
First, the security system was atrocious. I was thoroughly checked for any weapons as I entered the Hadfield Street stands. Soon after I located seats for my family and self, glass bottles began to inundate the Jubilee Park, thus creating an easy opportunity for criminally minded persons. Added to this the police presence around the park and on the tarmac was sparse.
Secondly, the seating facilities for the general public were designed with no consideration for the elderly or children. The stands had no passageway to allow for entry or exit. This created a lot of discomfort for children and the elderly.
I found myself within a box, where as mentioned earlier others and I found it extremely difficult to access the Gent’s washroom.
Thirdly, the stand I was in was either the fourth or fifth after entering; then before 7pm I noticed a group of tourists (Americans) surveying the area in the hope of sitting together as a group decided to access the area right in front of me. As soon as they were settled they began taking pictures of themselves with flags raised. I asked one of them if they were enjoying Guyana? With a glowing smile the answer came back emphatically, “Yes its great”. At the hour of 11.15pm, there was uproar in all the stands, and people were standing up and hailing the Guyana Defence Force as they made preparations to raise the Golden Arrowhead.
At that point seventy per cent of people in the stands were standing up to get a good view of what was about to happen, when suddenly those at the back including a man with a loud voice said, “Everybody sit down!” There was this angry crowd of Guyanese young people without flags shouting to the students with flags to sit down.
I raised my voice and said to some of them they should stand up, but they were not interested in my pleas. Then a young man seated next to me stood up and started to hurl remarks at the students who were standing. I told him that these people were visitors from another country who came to enjoy themselves with their Guyanese friends and celebrate our Independence. Suddenly the craziest thing happened. This man made a sudden leap and lunged forward knocking down three women (all Americans). Pandemonium and fighting broke out, traumatizing the foreigners, some of whom were hurt in the process. People nearby were getting hurt, as I and my family tried to navigate around the nosiest people I have every encountered in all my seventy years on the face of the earth. During all this time the main event was taking place.
Having withdrawn to safer ground I was deprived of observing such a sacred and historic occasion. I left abruptly.
This is an experience that has taught me many lessons in life, which I cannot expound on here and now. But one thing is certain; I was embarrassed in that moment, because I had planned to ask the student this question: What was the event that would have inspired you to come back, to this beautiful country again? I dread the answer.
I could not sleep; when I came home after 1am this morning, this incident rested upon my mind and I wanted to apologize to the students, and especially to the American Ambassador Mr Perry Holloway.
There are several other observations that I made, but I will allow some astute and thoughtful Guyanese who attended to raise those other issues.
I trust that this present administration may take note, and in closing, I believe that amidst all the setbacks, we will prosper in the end.
Yours faithfully,
Apostle Vanrick Beresford
Senior Pastor
