Several shot as police try to break up protest

…PNCR activist, Carol Joseph among those injured

Police Monday night opened fire on protesters in the West Coast Berbice who have been demonstrating against the killing of two boys at Cotton Tree.

Village Voice was told that the police fired pellets and teargas to disperse the crowd. Residents had blocked the main road at several villages.

In a statement the APNU+AFC Coalition has called for an immediate ceasefire. The coalition said it has received reports and has seen photographs and video evidence which confirm that members of the Guyana Police Force shot indiscriminately at civilians in the village of Hopetown on the West Coast of Berbice.

“The APNU+AFC calls for an immediate ceasefire and for the police to desist from injuring and maiming innocent citizens. To shoot at innocent protestors is provocation and incitement by the police and will, in all likelihood, result in a response which the fraudulent and illegitimate PPP government will be held totally and ultimately responsible for.”

The coalition said the people of Hopetown, No. 3 Village and all the people of Guyana have a right to be outraged by the dastardly slaughter of Isaiah and Joel Henry at Cotton Tree and Orlando Jonas at Albion, Berbice.

“Peacefully blocking roadways in the face of such abominable atrocities is understandable as a demonstration of civil disobedience and outrage of the people.
The APNU+AFC Coalition directly calls on all ranks of the Guyana Police Force to not obey orders to maim, injure or kill innocent protestors. The persons protesting are struggling for the rights of every Guyanese citizen, including the rights of police officers and their families. We call on the men and women of the police force not to obey commands to harm those who are struggling for justice and civil rights – put down your weapons and refuse to comply with illegal orders,” the statement ended.

The Guyana Police Force said that it was left with no other Choice than to shoot at the protesters.” While the Force is aware of the origin of this protest, and by extension the state of emotions of protestors from the affected villages, the Administration of the Force wish to urge persons engaged in protest action to exercise calm while we continue with intensity to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Additionally, the Force states that when protest action degenerates into unlawful acts, infringing on the rights of other citizens and putting the protection of life and the safeguard of property at risk, the GPF will consequently take the appropriate action against perpetrators.