Black Lives Matter – Guyana Launches Today

The Black Lives Matter-Guyana movement is set to be launched virtually today as the nation celebrates emancipation day.

A press release issued by the non-governmental organisation stated that, “Black Lives Matter – Guyana is part of the global solidarity movement to highlight and educate the masses, especially the Black community, of the many vestiges that still exist to racially disenfranchise and discriminate against Black people in Guyana”. The organisation states that it will advocate for policy and systemic changes for improvements without prejudice towards any other community and population. 

No nation can rise in glory if any part of that community is disenfranchised. All communities must be empowered and physically and mentally liberated. “Black Lives Matter -Guyana sees the need to champion the causes of black Guyanese for a better Guyana. We must all be fully emancipated. We cannot celebrate Emancipation Day and not advocate for better policies, institutions and systems to enrich and empower the Black citizen. We are not about a trend. We are about better. “

The press release goes on to state that, “The purpose of the Black Lives Matter road murals in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Bartica is to raise awareness and visibility of our cause and ignite discussions on the history of the Black community’s struggle to be free and live a full life.”

The mural paintings will be complemented with other activities soon to be announced. Some of these activities will include analysation of issues tailored to the Afro-Guyanese struggle such as extra-judicial killings, police brutality, Black economic suppression and institutionalised racism.