Let’s take this walk for freedom!

Aug 13, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
On July 29th, Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmon ruled us (Mark Benschop, Lincoln Lewis and Norris Witter) not guilty of the charge of unlawful assembly.
This charge was made on 15 July 2009 when we led a three-man protest in Young Street, Georgetown to express dissatisfaction of government lawlessness and rights violations.
It is our belief that the charge was the government’s deliberate effort to drive fear into the people and that there will be zero tolerance for speaking out against their wrongs and holding them accountable.
The right to freedom of expression is protected in Article 146 of the Guyana Constitution. It is a right which must be held sacrosanct by all.
Citizens also have a right to peacefully petition the government on matters that affect their well-being and for the government to seek to deny this right by having the police institute charges bears testimony to the tyranny engulfing this nation.
We strongly believe we were not on trial, but the rights of every single Guyanese. That the Court has vindicated us, thanks to the commitment, sterling presentations and cross examinations of our lawyer, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, it offers hope that though the scale of justice is not always balanced in this country, with steadfastness, determination and preparedness to honour the blindness of Lady Justice, as a people we can overcome.
This ruling cannot be taken lightly recognizing the fact that for two years the Guyana Police Force wasted taxpayers’ money doing the biddings of this oppressive regime.
While there exists no animosity towards the Force whose job it is to serve and protect, the act of those at the behest of their political masters serves as a reminder that police reform is urgently needed and this must also include having the Commissioner of Police answerable to Parliament, the bona fide People’s Representative, as against a political boss/minister.
The excesses of this government and its known affinity for misusing the Force fronting its lawlessness is troubling, well known, and must end.
Furthermore, this ruling is being delivered in the United Nations designated Year for People of African Descent, which among other things sets out to eliminate discrimination by allowing Africans to have their rights respected which includes having their voices heard on social, economic, cultural and political matters that impact their wellbeing and keeps hope alive.
For freedom is never free, it requires constant vigilance, sacrifices and struggles.
The support received during these two years sends a strong message that a people united against injustices can truly overcome. It sends a message to the oppressors that good always overcomes evil and their days are numbered.
To those who act out of fear, be reminded it was Mahatma Gandhi who said “non-cooperation with evil is a sacred duty.”
For us this is another leg in our march towards the creation of a just society as we continue to challenge and expose this demonic regime. Together, let’s take this walk for freedom!
Mark Benschop, Norris Witter & Lincoln Lewis

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