City mayor slams gov’t for “hunting down” Afro-Guyanese

– while Henry boys, Haresh Singh killers on loose, COVID-19 rampant

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine said on Wednesday that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been dragging its feet on several national issues such as the Henry boys and Haresh Singh investigations and the management of the spread of COVID-19.

However, he said that the Administration seems to have enough time to ensure that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is “busy hunting and harassing innocent Afro Guyanese”.

In a statement made public, Narine called on President Irfaan Ali to “stand by his words” whereby he promised to work with all Guyanese and to ensure that no person is above the law.

“The unlawful arrest of Afro Guyanese in Guyana is becoming more prevalent since the new Government has taken office. Former Minister, Volda Ann Lawrence was arrested yesterday, then placed on a $100,000 bail for bogus charges with no substantial evidence,” Narine began.

“I am a Proud Indo-Guyanese, and this is the 21st Century. I cannot sit and watch as our Afro brothers and sisters continue to be treated as they are anything less than human beings. It is unfair, unjust and inhumane that we are one people, one nation, one destiny and this is how the Government wishes to carry on the Guyanese legacy. While the PPP-led Government have the Police Force harassing innocent Afro Guyanese, we still await Justice for the Henry boys and Haresh Singh, also what about the rate of abuse and murder of our Guyanese women? What is being done to protect our children from the predators who seek to take their innocence? What about the COVID-19 measures? While we await the Government to deal with more pressing matters, they have our Police Force busy hunting and harassing innocent Afro Guyanese.”

Narine said that while the PPP/C has promised to work in the interest of all Guyanese, the regime has instead created division among citizens by harassing, manipulating, discriminatating and controlling Guyanese.

He said that every Guyanese, and more so the Government, has a responsibility to ensure the protection of not one, but all Guyanese no matter their ethnicity.

He questioned rhetorically: “When does it end? What are we teaching our young? Is this the country we wish to continue to foster? Is this the Guyana we want to live in? We need to come together as One people, One Nation and One Destiny. We cannot allow the older generation to continue to spread hate, division and destruction in our beloved country. The Mayor and City Council is willing to live in love and unity for the development of the City of Georgetown and at large Guyana. We cannot sit idly by as our citizens suffer. With that said, I call on the United Nation, the diplomatic community and CARICOM to cease the silence on the racial attacks on the Afro Guyanese community in Guyana.”