For Guyana to flourish all its people must be treated with respect- US Rep Clarke

The representative was responding to question posed by Benschop, that given US Ambassador, Ms. Sarah Ann Lynch, appeared on another show and admitted there is discrimination in Guyana, what are US officials going to do to address the situation.

Clarke, whist acknowledging Guyana’s presence in the United Nations and Guyanese influence in the US, said it is important in Guyana that freedom forms part of democracy, that equity be part of a diverse democracy, and that no level of discrimination, no extrajudicial types of activities can be tolerated in a democracy.

“We will continue to advocate in Washington DC until we see a change in direction, a change in activity of what has become a hallmark of behaviour in Guyana against the Afro-Guyanese community in Guyana, and so this is work that must continue because in order for Guyana to flourish, all of its people must be treated with humanity, dignity and respect.”

Last month, more than 20 US-based Guyanese organisations held a Town Hall meeting in New York. US government officials were in attendance to discussions on transnational repression, racism, discrimination, Police and Government of Guyana excesses, among other matters. Guyanese in the diaspora were assured by US officials the America government will not tolerate racism and discrimination in Guyana.

US Representative, Mr. Hakeem Jeffries, of Brooklyn 8^th District, in an address to the town hall meeting stated that democracy is under attack in America and throughout the world and called on persons to stand up for principles in defense of democracy. According to Jeffries: “It’s very important that people of goodwill continue to stand up for the principle of equal protection under the law, the principle of liberty and justice for all, the principle of the preeminence of the rule of law, and the principle that racial injustice should not be tolerated anywhere in this world, including in Guyana.”

New York state Attorney General, Ms. Letitia James, made known she reaffirmed Jeffries’ statement. She told participants, among other things, that “I came here to listen, but what I heard is very disturbing. Extremely disturbing. I stand and reaffirm the comments of my brother, Congress member Jeffries: – the United States will not tolerate racism in Guyana or any other country.

“And I believe that Guyana needs strong democratic institutions, and I will defend that….We believe that discrimination should be called out.  We believe that racism should be called out. We try to call out class struggles as well and so all that I have to say is the following:-…I, along with my democratic attorney generals across the country, will be calling upon DOJ (Department of Justice) as well as the Biden administration, to look into the allegations that have been put forth this evening.”

The two-year-old Irfaan Ali administration continues to deny claims of political, social, racial and economic discrimantion but has not been able to refute the evidence provided by those making the claims.