The threat of a water cannon is not what this society deserves or needs

Nov 10, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The government spending $37 million on the eve of elections to acquire a water cannon, as it earlier claimed is intended to deal with demonstrators, belies an ugly under belly that must be exposed.
Ours is a culturally pluralistic society where groups are still fighting to be treated as equal 45 years into independence and in the presence of a Constitution that enshrines our rights and involvement in national decision-making that impacts our lives.
The fact that these fundamental tenets elude us as a people, not because the people are unwilling to be involved, but because the government refuses to uphold our laws, means that peaceful co-existence premised on justice will continue to elude us as a nation and a people, and hinder holistic development.
The growing advocacy to secure social, economic, cultural and political justice is something the PPP leadership finds untenable, because it necessitates the creation of a level playing field for all and accountability by public officials.
The refusal to uphold these principles has seen the PPP perpetuating the culture of fear to goad us into inaction for fear that we can be harmed, jailed or wind up dead.  It is behind this backdrop the presence of the water cannon must be seen.
For many recall the police use of water cannon in the ugly and bitter era of the U.S. African American Civil Rights struggle (1955–1968) to secure equality for minority groups and create a society of peaceful co-existence where all can benefit from the nation’s resources and be subject to universal laws.
This nation, in 2011, is waging a similar struggle and every day there is new evidence to prove same. The attack on certain media houses and workers; the government disparity in treatment towards bauxite workers and sugar workers; the disregard for the rights of public servants to freedom of association and collective bargaining; the law  applying for some and not all; escalating domestic violence and child abuses, are all actions of national import, deserving of attention,  and will necessitate some form of public demonstration, even more so that the government refuses to have them resolved around the table.
The threat of a water cannon is not what this society deserves or needs, however held the notion that it is a non-lethal force. One needs to also remember that a water cannon can achieve pressure up to 30 bars (3,000 kPa) which can result in broken bones.
And given this government’s track record and the rogue elements in the police force, where the cannon is used indiscriminately, one  is equally certain no inquiry will be conducted to ascertain what happened and hold accountable those responsible.
We also have an additional factor to confront, which is the newest labour force of paid protesters and those hired to create violence and mayhem in our society.
Given the PPP track record and penchant for public mischief, including fanning the flames of division to suit its self-serving agenda, there is nothing to prevent them from instigating mischief in order to unleash the water cannon and hurt those exerting their legitimate right to freedom of association, movement and expression.
This country does not need a water cannon. What this country need is leaders, who are prepared to respect the rights of the citizens, obey our laws and govern in the interest of all.
The ugly potential threat this water cannon poses for this nation and to those who want to exercise their fundamental rights, be it on matters political, industrial, social or otherwise, will affect each and every one of us in some form or the other. The PPP leaders do not care about the people, only about entrenching themselves and abusing the people, including their supporters in order to feed their greed and self-aggrandisement.
In this environment, sugar workers who want to engage in industrial action will not be spared any more than the protesting rice farmers, political parties demonstrating, media workers protesting, striking public servants or bauxite workers. All will be consumed by a few bent on plundering the state’s resources and abusing the citizenry for their self-servicing end.
This election is a defining moment for this country. The PPP’s escalating power crazy antics mean that we cannot sit out this election.  We cannot turn back if we want to save this country and ensure our peaceful co-existence and development. We have to overcome, come what may. Fear must no longer immobilise us, but must be the catalyst to effect the change we need.
And just as it was in the U.S Civil Rights struggle where people were not deterred by the water cannons and went on to achieve peaceful co-existence and opportunities for development for all by securing the rights of minority groups and making all accountable to universal laws, so too must we together cast our vote to restore these values.
Lincoln Lewis

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