I am rededicating my energies to the movement which seeks to liberate Guyana from this nepotic government

Aug 20, 2012 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
The name Kidackie Amsterdam may not ring a bell to many in the current political circles, but that’s ok since I have been out of “active” politics for the last ten years or so, but returned to join the Red Thread organized picket of the office of the president on Monday 13 August 2012 on the linden imbroglio.
This was followed by an appearance on the platform of the Working People’s Alliance public meeting at Stabroek square on Wednesday 15th august 2012. It was at this meeting that I disagreed with the leader of the political opposition’s call for residents of Region 4 to show solidarity with Linden by going to Linden on Saturday 18th August. As a matter of fact I chose to make a public call for the major thorough fares such as the East Coast and East Bank highways to be blocked and Regent Street occupied by protesters for at least five days to force the government’s hand on the demands of Linden. This call was repeated at Buxton on the evening of Thursday 16th August at which I invited residents to join me on the public road at 07:00 hours to demonstrate to the government that Buxtonians stand ready to join in the fight for social and economic justice for the people of linden and by extension all Guyanese.
These calls were made out of the recognition that the government had walked away from the negotiations with the representatives of linden and region ten, and the seat of government, Region four / Georgetown remained calm suggesting that all was well.
The question may be asked why take such “drastic” actions after being “out” of politics for the past ten years? Well here is why.
It is my sincere belief that the PPP/Civic has nothing but contempt for the people of Guyana and the political representatives of the masses, moreso those who are of a particular ilk. This belief was further strengthened when in December leaders such as James Bond, and Eddie Collins were shot at the Square of the Revolution while involved in a peaceful demonstration against the perceived wrongs perpetrated by the Guyana Elections Commission, the refusal to act on the oppositions parliamentary vote of no confidence in Clement Rohee, and the manner in which the government sent its armed forces to launch a most inhumane assault on the people of Linden on the mornings of Friday August 10th through Sunday, August 12, even while negotiations were taking place with the leaders of Linden and the government. To this I say the government will only respond to the demands of the people if there is a show of force behind the political opposition, which is what I called for at the two public meetings organized by the WPA.
While certain sections of the media were quick to scream “WPA wants Buxton road blocked…David Hinds suggest the thoroughfare be dug up…” I daresay those reports were out of context and far from the call made, because the reporter was absent when I made an earlier call for villagers to join me at the public road just to show our solidarity with Linden and to say to the authority that we stand ready. During this call it was made clear that the desire was to neither cause obstructions nor damage to property, nor even to interfere with the right of other citizens, but to simply indicate that Buxtonians were standing resolutely behind Linden and their leaders.
Yes, the show of support for this call was dismal, but serves to highlight another reason for my return to politics after “hibernation” like most Guyanese. The reason being that some Guyanese were oppressed, are being oppressed and will continue to be oppressed because the masses have become lazy and don’t care with regard to standing behind their leaders to demand accountability and responsible conduct from the government of the day, and must be made to “wake up” from this apathy lest Guyanese be made to suffer worst forms of indignity perpetrated by this uncaring government which sees itself as invincible.
Hence, as of now I am rededicating my energies to the movement which seeks to liberate Guyana and its citizens from the clutches of the nepotic, kleptocratic government of the PPP/Civic, by making people understand that while leaders are in negotiation there must be a show of force by the people in support of their elected representatives if the will of the people is to be realized since there will be no gain to be had if the seat of government, Region four / Georgetown remains calm while the government refuses to heed the call of the people’s representatives.
Ps: I do not need to defend Dr. David Hinds, he is capable of this, the veteran he is since the day s of fighting the Burnham regime as a member of the Working People’s Alliance, which fought tooth and nail alongside the now discredited PPP.
Kidackie Amsterdam

---

---