What are the benefits of street protests?

May 17, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,

I write in reference to a letter written by a few persons entitled “Street protest will always be a relevant political tool?”

While I respect the view point raised by those writers, I must disagree with the flawed perception they are trying to generate.

I am not a politician, but as a civilian, I would like to ask what have been the benefits of such street protest?

Past experiences of street demonstration have proven ill-fated for Guyana, widespread incidents of violence, robbery, rape, arson arid total disregard for law and order.

While it is the democratic rights of people to stage demonstrations against government’s excesses, it must never disturb the peace and unity of a nation, or the people must not be made a political bamboozle for the benefit of politicians.

Past events in Guyana have left a caustic taste in the mouth of thousands of Guyanese, if I recall I was a victim of the malevolence politics of street protest.

In 1997 just after the general elections and the mo faya slow faya campaign I was beaten in the streets of Georgetown by angry mob, I was just a young man who refused to take part in dirty political demonstration, I had no strings attached and was innocent of what was going on, I also bear witness to incidents of beatings, robbery attempted rape, arson etc.

Those were disgraceful act of manipulation, not motives for a just cause; as a despicable act to instill fear in the minds of peace-loving people.

And this brings me to the point, who, was responsible for this lawlessness? Our political leaders, they lead we follow.

So when the vice chairman of the AFC Mrs. Sheila Holder wrote that her party was not in support of such action due to past experiences, this must be commended, this is not only a noble position but a justifiable one.

While some politicians believes that street demonstration have benefited the masses, little did they know it have caused scar, untold misery and distrust among our people.

It was not right and could never be right to create mayhem, whether it was infiltrated and recruited by the ruling regime or not, the shame and disgrace it brought on us as a nation is written in our history books and history will judge us in time to come.

I am certain Mrs. Holder comments have infuriated a lot of people, but it is very relevant given past experiences in Guyana, when some had to cut and run, not forgetting we had to seek foreign intervention in the form of the Herdmanston Accord, St Lucia statement, it taught us that we were not even mature enough to handle our own internal affairs, what a shame.

So when we jump on band wagons, we must first think of the implications our actions can have on our vulnerable nation.

We must never seek to undermine law and order, so if we think street protest is an option then we must first have to analyse situations then carefully execute our plans, but never to play dirty politics with the life of our people, especially as it relates to peace harmony and security.

The constitution of Guyana grantees us the right to express and vent our feelings, especially when we feel alienated from the decision making process and the right to self determination, but it never gives us the licence to condone lawlessness.

So if we take to the streets voice our grievances, we must uphold the laws of our land, and not allow mayhem.

Andre Fortune