Dear Editor,
This day, July 18, for us, Lindeners and residents of Region Ten, will forever remain a significant day in our collective history. It carries different meanings for those who experienced it firsthand, those who observed it from afar, and those who heard about it later. What is important in every regard is the need for us to never forget, never forget the ultimate sacrifice three of our Lindeners paid – a son, a father, brother, uncle, friend, a neighbour, a student, whatever they were to us, those individuals lives were taken away from them in our collective struggle, the peoples’ struggle, for a better life against an attempt to impose greater hardship on our community. We honour their sacrifice in recognising them as Martyrs and host this very important activity every year to pay tribute to their memories.
The events of that day, for me, which led to days, weeks and months of protest, is one that is viewed with a bittersweet perspective, reflecting on the essence of democracy – where people in unison expressed their right to peacefully protest and demonstrated their dissatisfaction with decisions made on their behalf without proper consultation by their elected leaders. Leaders who, after all, were elected to serve the interests of the people who put them in office. Protesting against the government’s dictatorial, discriminatory and marginalised stance against our people.
That day highlighted our tendency as a people not to accept that which was being imposed upon us by demonstrating of our collective and strong objection to such a decision, which was not good for our people and our community in the form of a united and peaceful protest. We know then that those who did not resist such impositions were in the minority. Further, it was interesting to note, that some fellow Guyanese argued that the people of Linden should not benefit from lower electricity costs because other parts of Guyana faced higher charges.
This argument was akin to saying we should accept whatever is given to us, regardless of fairness or constitutionality, because others have a position reminiscent of the position imposed on slaves who eventually rebelled. But we, despite those views, rejected it. The people of Linden and Region Ten united and rejected it outright. Residents, here and on the virtual platform, I put it to you, as Lindeners and as Guyanese, we must recognize that July 18, 2012, demonstrated the power of unity, and what can be achieved on matters of importance to our township, region and country, if we as a people are united on such matters. If we stand together, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, or other differences, and exercise our collective power, we can ensure that our leaders truly serve the interests of the Guyanese people.
That day, which led to months, also showed civic and political maturity, with support of the churches, NGOs, civic minded Guyanese and political parties, seeing the people’s just cause despite differences. Fellow Lindeners, the constant talk of unity which we all agree is what is needed among our people and partners, usually encapsulated in the maxim “United we stand, divided we fall,” is widely recognized as a cornerstone for collective success. However, the realization of unity must transcend beyond mere rhetoric, it demands genuine efforts and actions.
Unity, we must accept, is not an automatic outcome of a desired group of people, it has to be a deliberate construct achieved through genuine effort and strategic actions. If we are serious about achieving unity, we must address the challenges posed by immaturity, envy, and jealousy which are hindrances to unity while simultaneously implementing strategies that promote goal-setting, open communication, a collaborative culture, and effective conflict resolution. Once done, our people can forge a united front.
This unity is essential for achieving common goals and objectives, demonstrating that when individuals come together with a shared purpose and mutual respect, their collective strength far surpasses the sum of their individual efforts. When united, the government and its officials will be compelled to fulfill their roles as public servants, prioritizing the interests of the Guyanese people by disarming the government and parties of divisive race politics and discrimination. We, the people, making conscious decisions based on issues during elections, can create a better Guyana and achieve the needed change for the betterment for all Guyanese.
As we reflect on that tragic day of July 18th, let us remember the young men, whose lives were unjustly taken for exercising their constitutional right for betterment engaging in peaceful protest. Let us honour them not only with annual reflections and vigils but also by recognizing the power of unity and the importance of standing up for truth and justice. Their sacrifices should remind us that freedom includes the freedom of dissent, and that standing together can lead to meaningful change. The monument here, in Linden, symbolizes the strength of united consciousness and the potential for change when we stand together. Long live the memory of Ron Somerset, Shemroy Bouyea, and Allan Lewis. Long live our Linden Martyrs.
Sincerely,
Hon. Jermaine Figueira MP
