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The symbolic burning of the Chronicle Newspaper
Social activists yesterday gathered at Square of the Revolution to join to stage a symbolic burning of copies of the state owned Chronicle.
They were voicing their disapproval over an editorial titled “Opposition rampages to sow disunity in the country.”
Prominent persons in society were referred to the article as “racist and mischievous.” Disapprovals were voiced to the point where a protest was staged at the front of the said media house.
The symbolic burning of the Chronicle Newspaper
Yesterday the Chronicle published an apology from Keith Burrowes, Chairman, of the board of directors.
However, the protesters yesterday contended that the apology was not enough since the article caused much unease and had the potential to cause serious disruptions.
The group said that while Burrowes’s apology is encouraging, the fact that the immediate management of Chronicle has not yet offered an apology for the “bigoted” article is quite disturbing.
Nevertheless, the Chronicle issued a statement that read “it should be noted, and appreciated, that the newspaper cannot please its entire readership all the time…the article about which the demonstrators protested, even though well intentioned and factually correct, was a regrettable slippage that does not represent set policy.”
However, demonstrators yesterday voiced that they would like to obtain tangible facts to support the majority of the article.
According to them only one aspect of the article was indeed factual and that is the statement about the late Political Activist, Ronald Waddell.
“Using the late gentleman’s name and action during an era of election protest without making known of the same, and seeking to make a nexus through dishonest claims about the African race and the Linden electricity issue and pitting groups against each other, then calling it factually correct is unacceptable,” said trade unionist, Lincoln Lewis on behalf of the group.
The group said that it would like to see the evidence that supports the statements which read, “Black youths are socialized by opposition leaders to think that Indians robbed them to get rich, so they atomically feel that they have to wrest by force, even murder, anything Indian have. Hatred of Indians is ingrained into their psyche. Many Indian persons, who grew up in the arms of the black people in rural communities have today became fearful anytime a black youth gets too close to them.”
David Hinds, a political leader, said that the group chose the Square of the Revolution because of what it represents. He said that the article is an insult to Black people and a further insult to the intelligence of Indo Guyanese. So, “we come here in the shadows of Cuffy to register our protest”
Hinds said that Guyana should be a place where all races are respected and none should be insulted. He said that Guyana must realize that “we are at a critical stage in our history when we see racial domination is being perpetrated in the state owned media… black people have contributed to this country and they deserve the respect.
Columnist, Fredrick Kissoon, said that, as a Guyanese of Indian decent he is calling on all East Indians of Guyanese and Caribbean decent, not to let the racist nightmare that is being engendered against African people to “overtake your sole and minds…we cannot live without each other”
He said that Indians should be reminded that African people fought for East Indian rights from the 70s onwards. He recalled that he was at every demonstration when Afro Guyanese “stood with their bodies and their soles and became assaulted in the fight for free and fair elections and racial equality.”
Kissoon said that he has African Nephew and Nieces and none of them has been imbued with a hatred for Indians.
Mark Benschop said that he is surprised that President Donald Ramotar did not speak out on such an issue.
Lurlene Nestor of APNU said that Guyana is a plural society and people must respect each other. She said that she is most offended that the article targeted young people who are the future “it must be denounced.
Michael Carrington said that Racism is a manifestation of the evil side of one’s self and Guyanese must strive to step away from such activities.
He asked if it is that the Indian Government officials’ children are fearful of “Sam Hinds children or any other Afro youth within that circle.”
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