…protest firing, prosecution of African Guyanese
Supporters of the APNU+AFC, bearing placards drawing attention to the dismissal of scores of African-Guyanese by the Government, protested in the streets of downtown Georgetown, in front of Parliament building, and in front of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Present with the protesters was former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn who was released on bail less than a week ago, after being charged for misconduct in public office.
Benn was arrested in relation to the leasing of some six acres of land at Ogle but has since told the media that he believes his arrest was a form of witch-hunting on the part of the Government “to destroy and besmirch the character of a professional black man”.
Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon had also condemned the arrest of Benn reiterating his party’s position that such acts represent the continuation of harassment and victimization of afro-Guyanese.
Other well-known persons present at the protest included Opposition Members of Parliament, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Coretta McDonald, Annette Ferguson, Cathy Hughes and Juretha Fernandes; PNC/R Executive Member, Aubrey Norton and Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones.
“We are here in support and solidarity. It is clear that the Government’s intention is to harass afro-Guyanese and all people who would have supported the APNU+AFC. The time is nigh when we have to respond and this is the beginning of what I would consider to be a very important response that will deal directly with the illegitimate government,” Norton told the media at Parliament building.
Behind him, the signs held up by various individuals blared: ‘Stop the assault on black labour and capital’, ‘Take your knees off our black professional necks’; ‘We stand in support of and in solidarity with Trevor Benn’ and more.
Outside the CID, McDonald told the media: “When I look at the injustices that are being meted against black brothers and black sisters it calls for questioning. The thing is, wrong doesn’t have a colour and wrong doesn’t have a race…but we can highlight all of those black brothers and sisters who police have chosen, under instructions, to harass.”
The leaders of the APNU+AFC have long complained about a “creeping dictatorship” of the PPP/C Government. The party claims that the PPP/C intends to disassemble democracy and harass of Afro-Guyanese professionals and APNU+AFC members and supporters.
On the ground on Wednesday, issues such as the alleged assault of Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy on Halley and the untouched Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linden Hospital Complex, Rudolph Small who made derogatory remarks to nurses were also raised.
Norton said that his party will not tolerate such occurrences and the protest witnessed is just one of the ways in which it will continue to resist the unwarranted firing and arrests of Afro-Guyanese. “It is clear the interest [of the PPP/C] is in domination and control,” he said, adding:
“We believe that this society is for all Guyanese. They have been dismissing, firing afro-Guyanese without any reason and therefore we have to stand up.”
