In Guyana today, there is a curious silence resonating from once-vocal advocates of democracy and civic engagement. The Guardians of Democracy and Parking Meter activists, once renowned for their fervent opposition to the previous government, now seem strangely muted or, worse, complicit in the face of the PPP’s actions. This shift is not only puzzling but also concerning for Guyana’s democratic future.
These groups, born out of a desire to safeguard democratic principles and hold power to account, played pivotal roles in recent years. The Guardians of Democracy rallied tirelessly during the fraught 2020 elections, while the Parking Meter activists garnered widespread support in their fight against what they perceived as unfair projects in Georgetown.
Yet, as the current administration grapples with its own set of controversies, including Increasing corruption and cronyism in the public sector, as evidenced by the drop in the Transparency International Corruption Index and the numerous cases of fraud and embezzlement involving PPP officials and associates, the once-vocal champions of democracy seem oddly subdued. Transparency and accountability in managing oil revenues have come under scrutiny, while cases of fraud involving PPP officials have only added fuel to the fire.
The recent allocation of green space on Carifesta Avenue for a foreign hotel project has also raised eyebrows, yet the response from these groups has been tepid at best. This stark contrast to their previous fervor against the parking meter project and their role as guardians of democracy during the electoral crisis is difficult to ignore.
It begs the question, where is the outcry? Where is the demand for accountability and transparency that once echoed through the streets? The silence or, worse, complicity of these once-vocal advocates is disheartening, casting doubt on their commitment to the very principles they once championed.
In a democracy, silence is not an option. It is time for the Guardians of Democracy and Parking Meter activists to speak up, to stand up for the principles they once purportedly held dear. Let them demonstrate that their once committed advocacy had nothing to do with ugly racism and political power.
