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Protest this fascist attack on press freedom

Mar 07, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I write this letter to protest the fascist assault on journalist, social activist, and human rights crusader Mark Benschop, who was allegedly beaten up by Presidential Press Liason Officer Kwame McKoy.
Mr. Benschop was in the process of fulfilling his duties as journalist by filming the construction of McKoy’s house at Diamond when he was set upon by McKoy and four men. Mr. Benschop was brutally punched and kicked about the body. His vehicle was broken into and his computer and other personal property were stolen. The vehicle was also thrashed.
I also condemn the partisan action of the police who made no attempt to recover the stolen property. Instead Mr. Benschop, the victim, was locked up and charged.
He was denied station bail thereby placing Mr. Benschop’s life in grave danger as the political elite and their organised crime pals might take the opportunity to silence him forever, and so put an end to his campaign to expose corruption and debauchery in the Office of the President.
I wish to state also that not even PNC henchman Rabbi Washington of the late 1970’s had the power over the police that McKoy has today.
If anyone ever doubted that the Jagdeo/PPP regime had descended to fascism then the nasty attack on Mr. Benschop certainly removed those doubts.
This was not just brutalization of Mr. Benschop, but an attack on press freedom. The message was clear. The regime would not tolerate investigative journalism of any sort, more so that which would expose their fortunes, mansions, and sexual exploitation of young girls from poor communities.
I urge all Guyanese to come out in support of Mark Benschop by rallying around the Brickdam lockups, and the court where Mr. Benschop will be arraigned. A protest against this latest outrage should also be done at the Office of the President.
Malcolm Harripaul

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