Defending statements made May 13, 2024 on street protest, Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton appeared on the ‘Politics 101’ programme May 31, 2024, and denied saying he does not support street protest. Host of the online programme, Dr. David Hinds, asked Norton, who is also Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), to clarify his position.
On May 13, 2024 Norton said “we will protest, but the form has to change; the kind of protest we are accustomed to has been effectively crippled by the government.” Political protest in Guyana, particularly by the PNCR, have been on the streets. The statement by Norton was therefore interpreted in that context.
Hinds asked for clarification in light of perception, including his, Norton’s statement meant the Opposition under his leadership will no longer engage in street protest. The PNCR is the major political party in the Opposition coalition, A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC).
Directly asked “Are you or are you not for street protest?” Norton said if street protest is needed he doesn’t have a problem but he does “not believe the first option must be street protest,” and talked about the need for other forms of protest. Asked by Hinds to cite instances, Norton took credit for the “full hall” in Mocha, East Bank Demerara, on May 28, 2024 that met United States (US) Congressman Jonathan Jackson.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government who invited the congressman to Guyana for the 58th Independence Anniversary took him into the community for a meeting with the residents. The meeting backfired.
The PPP/C was hoping its supporters would have sung the government’s praise after the destruction of their lives and livelihood on January 5, 2023.
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Nima Flue-Bess, who attended the meeting, told the congressman she learned of his visit via social media. Inspite of short notice Flue-Bess and other members of the community caused the government much embarrassment speaking their truths. The MP also presented the congressman with a flash drive of the atrocities inflicted on the Mocha people
Pushed further by Hinds to explain his position, and reminded his political personality was built at a time when street protest, which was used quite effectively to push back against the PPP/C in the 1990s, Norton demurred.
The opposition leader said even when those street protests were done, the government had to be engaged to achieve the Opposition’s objective. This is a fact all over the world and a primary reason that influences protest, to get the government’s attention and achieve objectives. Former President David Granger weighing in on the matter said street protest is absolutely effective and silence is not a good strategy when dealing with an oppressive government. The governing PPP/C is generally seen as an oppressive government.
However, Norton believes the government, flushed with oil money has effectively killed street protest through various forms such as the misuse of the police, threatening people’s job and paying the people. However, the US-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) has asked Norton to rethink his position.
PNCR Central Executive Committee member, retired Rear Admiral Gary Best feels the PPP/C has successfully mischaracterised street protest as a bad thing and driven fear in the business community, making known that in the West largest democracy, the US, there are at least 2000 protests a day.
PNCR contender for party leader, shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Roysdale Forde S.C, M.P warned that to avert street protest is akin to leaving vulnerable groups without support, “in a canoe without paddle.” He believes street protest is still vital and a cornerstone of democracy.
The PNCR Leader whilst admitting that each group in society addresses its grievance in unique ways, believes that “street protest should be last resort,” and the Opposition has a role to define the struggle as a clash between the PPP/c, its friends, families and favourites against the people and change could come by removing the party from office.
One of Norton’s popular statements has been “for Guyana to grow the PPP must go.” Meanwhile individuals and groups continue to be marginalised, probably awaiting an election to effect change, as the debate rages between those for or against street protest.
