Dear Editor,
I will not be intimidated, I will not be silent.
Editor, I am compelled to articulate this position publicly, because of certain developments, and my interpretation of them, as well as my reactions to them, which I now place in the public domain. The circumstances are as follows.
On the night of Friday, July 16 at 23:51hrs, a vehicle turned onto my bridge, spent approximately one minute there, with headlights on regular night beam, and trafficator signaling that the intent was to make that turn onto the bridge. It was not the first time that this has happened. In the predawn hours of Sunday, July 18 at 03:20hrs, a vehicle again turned onto my bridge with headlights and trafficator signal on, stayed for under a minute to register presence, and then reversed and went away. These two back-to-back incidents are not the first that I have observed, and which I had concluded was a driver selecting the nearest space to operate in such a manner. This is despite the fact that there is as much space as could be found anywhere on the street (perhaps, in all Georgetown) to conduct whatever driving maneuver was in mind. Now, I no longer regard what has happened as simple driver maneuver. Not when this has occurred at least once before, maybe as much as two or three of such identical circumstances.
Editor, I do not think that this is either innocent or accidental or random. My conclusions are it is: 1) deliberate, 2) a message, 3) intended to be intimidating, 4) intended to harass. To the intellectual authors responsible for these incidents, I share this simple little message: even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I shall fear no evil. Not theirs. Not any other, regardless of whatever shape or form such comes.
To the United States Ambassador: a United States citizen obeying those highest American ideals of free speech, speaking conscience, is now singled out and menaced. This will be added to what has been shared with members of the U.S. Congress, so they appreciate the kind of democracy present in Guyana, as powered by our country.
To the Commissioner of Police (ag), I report publicly that a law-abiding Guyanese is subject to this not so subtle oppressive and menacing development, so that there can be no claim of not knowing or otherwise.
Editor, I have been quietly warned by reputable Guyanese, some foremost current and former public servants, to be careful. To be aware of the risks. To understand how this place works, and how our political leaders think and function. Leaders may think it is nuanced or in the dark of night, but the vindictiveness and viciousness long characteristic of them, are all obvious. They have their way to go. I have mine to travel. It will be the way, truth and life, as taught and as embraced.
I will not be intimidated. I will not be silent.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall