YCT calls for boycott of Jamzone Summer Break

Jun 23, 2012 News

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The Youth Coalition for Transformation (YCT) has, since the last elections, been appealing for young people to boycott all Kashif and Shanghai and Hits and Jams events because of the entities close affiliations with the People’s Progressive Party.
Yesterday a press conference was held at the City Council to reinforce the call for continuous boycott until “better is done.” Further, the NGO called, “more importantly”, for conservative spending for all who feel that “more can be done for Guyanese.”
Tibitha Sarabo, executive member of YCT, said that as long as National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, NICIL isn’t independently audited and all necessary information requested by the opposition isn’t handed over, the call for conservative spending will continue.
Until the government recognizes that the Lindeners cannot afford a hike in electricity and as long as the University of Guyana remains under the stranglehold of the political council, the call will be continued, the YCT also stated.
Further, the YCT contended that unless the obvious corruption revealed leads to the arrest of and prosecution of the perpetrators and unless the call for Constitutional Reform and a government of National Unity is heeded “we will continue the call for conservative spending.”
The YCT said that they have decided to intensify the call for conservative spending because at the end of the budget debates, “what was clear to the majority of Guyanese is that there was nothing in the budget for them.”
Sarabo said that the people of Guyana asked for a decrease in the 16 per cent Value Added Tax, for public servants salaries to be raised and for an increase in old age pension. However, none of the sort was seen in the budget, the YCT stated.
“The fact is that nothing was in the budget for the majority of working class people should be an indicator that there is nothing to celebrate and there is no need to spend lavishly on things we don’t need,” said Sarabo.
“Without you the business cannot survive and that is where your power lies. We have to pressure the government to listen to the people by tightening our purse string.”
Further she said that conservative spending means that more emphasis should be placed on the purchase of text books and school clothes. “It means saving your money, budgeting and planting crops in our backyards to avoid the high market prices.”
Sarabo said that the joint opposition has tried and continues to try the parliamentary route to make “significant changes” to the way the country is governed. However, “the masses need to play their role.”
During the November 28, 2011 elections, H&J and Kashif and Shanghai openly supported the ruling party. The YCT holds the belief that youths should not support the entities because of its affiliation with the political party that give little to the same section of youths who dominantly support the events that these entities promote. Therefore, a boycott was called.
Kashif and Shanghai felt the brunt of this notion with most of its football matches that used to be sold out seeing a turnout which proved that the call was adhered.
Yesterday Phill said that since the call for boycott, Hits and Jams had a choice to find ways to change the public perception. Instead, “they decided on a cloak and dagger mission by disguising itself as something new while producing the same result. Hits and Jams decided to either omit their names when advertising events or coming under the pretext of other organizations. We do not condone this, as this shows that you are determined not to listen to the mass of people who indicated that they want change.”
However, she said that Jamzone cannot be hidden and as such the YCT would like to urge the Guyana public to boycott Jamzone as it believes, it will send a message to the organizers that “we mean business.”
“We will not support any entity whose sole purpose is to give the illusion on behalf of the government that all is well with Guyana because we can bring international artistes to Guyana.”
The organization made it known that their intention is not to ask youths not to party or involve themselves in whatever form of recreation that is meant to relax their minds “since we do have a lot to worry about… but we are asking that they do so wisely and be watchful of who they support.”
Asked about the “domino effect” that is likely to affect small business owners if the events are to be boycotted, Sarabo responded that the group recognizes that some of their supports may be affected through the call. However, “if we want betterment some sacrifice have to be made and we all will benefit in the long run as opposed to only one section of society being enriched.”
Faced with the question “why a top executive of YTC was seen partying at cooler fete?” Sarabo responded that all individuals need some form of recreation and the call is to boycott HJ, not all entertainment.
“This is the second strike against Hits and Jams who have decided to put on a mask to hide its true appearance, a second strike against all those businessmen who told us to shut up, accept the results and move on with our lives and finally, this is the first strike against the government who refuses to listen to the will of the people through our representatives in parliament,” said Sarabo in closing.

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