Maintaining its stance that the APNU+AFC government became illegitimate at midnight last night in light of its failure to hold constitutionally-due polls or secure an extension, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has planned a series of both local and international protests that are to start from today.
The party has dubbed today “A national day of mourning” and has asked supporters to join in protests planned to be held here, in Trinidad and Tobago, New York, Toronto, and on social media.
“We are going to be having protests not just in Georgetown but all across the country and the world,” a senior PPP/C official told Stabroek News yesterday.
The PPP/C had been calling for polls to be held by March 21st in keeping with the passage of a since disputed no-confidence motion against government last December. The deadline was based on the constitutional requirement that polls be held within three months of the passage of the motion, unless at least two-thirds of the elected members of the National Assembly agreed on an extension. The validity of the motion is currently being challenged in court, while the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has indicated that it would not be able to meet the deadline and the government and opposition failed to reach a deal on an extension.
“At 12:01 am on Friday (Tomorrow), March 22nd, let’s all set our Facebook profile photo and cover to all black. Let’s all do the same for Instagram and post a photo there that is simply black. We will then post the following as a status: “This is a dark day for Guyana. Our government is now illegal and they (are) blatantly violating the Constitution. Our jobs, investments, rights and freedom are now at risk. Ministerial and Presidential decisions and orders are now illegal. Join the protests for our democracy,”” the party stated in posts on its social media pages.
The PPP/C said it will also conduct a peaceful protest at noon today in front of the High Street, Kingston office of GECOM.
The announcements came even as Commis-sioner of Police Leslie James warned against any illegal disruptions and said the force is on “high alert” across the country. “I wish to take this opportunity to implore that the current calm, peace and tranquility should remain throughout the Nation as the decision of the Court of Appeal is pending. The leadership and members of the Guyana Police Force have noted on Social Media, notions of a seeming intention to disrupt the current calm in our society. May I warn that anyone found in breach of the law will be dealt with in a condign manner. The Force’s membership throughout the ten (10) Administrative Regions is on high alert and endeavours to prevent and respond to any eventuality,” James said in a statement.
Jagdeo rejected assertions that there were plans by his party for any illegalities and he added that if anyone acted illegally they should be dealt with accordingly, as per the law.
“I have learnt of reports that there are a few officers who are repeating to the ranks of the Guyana Police Force the lies, emanating from the APNU+AFC camp, that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) plans violent protests. I urge those doing this to desist from doing so and to continue to act professionally,” Jagdeo said on the PPP/C’s social media pages.
“The people of Guyana have a right to peacefully protest the usurpation of the Constitution by an administration that would be illegal as of midnight tonight. I have sought to contact the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, to inform him of these reports and to reiterate the Party’s full support for the Guyana Police Force, in dealing condignly with anyone who is involved in any act of violence, including damage to property,” he added.
In Trinidad, a group calling itself the Guyana Friendship Society will also be protesting in front of the Guyana High Commission in downtown Port-of-Spain.
The leader of that campaign, Dharamchand Depoo, told this newspaper via telephone that the group has been mobilising support in the Guyanese community in Trinidad and Tobago but is not sure about the numbers it will attract.
“The purpose of the demonstration is to bring attention to the fact that the government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will cease to be legal as of March 21st, 2019,” the group stated in a letter to Trinidad and Tobago’s Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith seeking permission to conduct the demonstration.
It added that it intends to hold a peaceful rally, causing the least amount of disruption to the neighbourhood. “We plan to use placards and a small megaphone, subject to your guidance. We will be guided by the directions of your office to ensure that the rally is peaceful, orderly and the least disruptive to the operations of the High Commission and the general neighbourhood,” it further said.
On the PPP/C’s Facebook page, it announced that it would hold a protest in front of Guyana’s Manhattan consulate.
Jagdeo has urged party supporters to protest the government and chase government ministers when they visit their neighbourhoods. He said, too, that he has written on international organisations to impose sanctions on government officials here.
Government in turn called his statements malicious and irresponsible, while warning citizens against unlawful behaviour.
