Protestors who can destroy the Coalition Government

Apr 17, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to the article “Clueless demonstrators mount protest outside KN” (KN, April 12, 2016) which described a handful of persons picketing the office of Kaieteur News. While there is great hilarity in the event, especially in the responses of the lead protester Kathlene Armstrong, there are also several philosophical ramifications. Firstly, is this the manner in which this government will react to criticism? One had hoped that this kind of action was a thing of the past. This protest is no different in nature than what was done with the withdrawal of government ads from the Stabroek News a few years ago. Secondly, what was the reason for protesting in front of the Kaieteur News? Was it to divert attention from the issue at hand?
Lead protestor, Kathlene Armstrong said that the reason for the protest was to show that “We are standing in solidarity with the APNU+AFC government; we stand with President David Granger, and in support of Joseph Harmon. We, as a Region, are in solidarity with what Joseph Harmon is doing.” What was the necessity of showing this solidarity in front of Kaieteur News? Was Ms. Armstrong obfuscating the true motive of the protest? Couldn’t the protest have been held at a more central location? If Region Three wants to support Minister Harmon then why not hold the protest in Region 3?
The responses of the lead protestor are even more outrageous. When asked about the reported actions of Honourable Minister Harmon, Ms. Armstrong said “I do not know what actions you are talking about.” It is incomprehensible that someone would be protesting and they do not know what they are protesting against. Additionally, if Ms. Armstrong does not know what the reported actions of Minister Harmon are, then what is the necessity of lending support?
Armstong’s placard “Nigel Hughes is anti-coalition. Get on board” is even more troubling. APNU and the AFC are in an alliance and are in government. It is absurd to call the chairman of your partner party in government ‘anti-coalition’. What is deduced from this statement is the old cliché: if you are not with us (in all the mistakes we make and the good we do) then you are against us. Many of us had hoped that such unilateral thinking had ended after May 11, 2015. Armstrong’s party should discipline her for this obvious political insensitivity.
The comment that Glenn Lall has a “PPP/C motive” borders on insanity. Where was this ‘PPP/C motive’ when pictures were published of Mr. Jagdeo’s residence or Mr. Ali’s residence. Someone needs to tell Armstrong that if she visits the online home page of the Kaieteur News, she will find 8 articles, highlighted in red, on the travesties of the PPP/C’s governance of this country. It is under the caption ‘Heist of Guyana’ and it is there 365 days per year.
As such, it is impossible to reason that a person with a PPP/C motive will continuously highlight the inadequacies of the party for which he has a motive. What is more preposterous is that there is a placard about Glenn Lall, while the lead protestor, Kathlene Armstrong is saying that she is “not here to talk about Glenn Lall, she is here to show support for the APNU+AFC government.”
Finally, it is logical that supporters of the Government will use every opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty. The government must curb this enthusiasm and replace it ordinary common sense. The energies of enthusiastic supporters such as Kathlene Armstrong must be harnessed in more productive ways and in ways which do not destroy the fragile partnership that is the government of Guyana.
Mohammed S. Hussain

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