Former Linden Town Week delegates to lead March against Abuse!

Apr 15, 2018 News

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In a press briefing on Friday, Mayor of Linden, Wanneka Arrindell, emphasized that the Linden Mayor and Town Council will stand in support of the Linden delegates who though no longer are pursuing the Miss Linden Town Week crown, will, with the support of the LM&TC become Linden’s ambassadors to stand against abuses against women in all forms.
“We call upon all stakeholders in the community, social protection agencies, youth groups, the Ministries of Education, Social Protection, National Security, major policy makers, religious organizations, Community Based Organizations, and Non-Governmental Organizations to participate in a ‘Speak Out, Speak Up… March’, led by the delegates, that will be held on Saturday, April 21,” the Mayor declared.
The March would be in protest of the sexual assault, which was reportedly perpetrated against one of the contestants in the Miss Linden Town Week Pageant by a prominent businessman.
The incident reportedly occurred during early March, while three of the delegates were visiting the premises of the businessman, seeking sponsorship to facilitate their participation in the pageant.
The Mayor on reflecting on the issue posited, “Having assumed the office of Mayor of Linden on April 1, 2018, I was shocked, saddened and horrified at the news that came to my attention. The council became active in making sure that a preliminary internal investigation was done and all persons involved were contacted and information garnered.”
The Mayor said that the Council is working with the law enforcement authorities to ensure that no stone is left unturned as answers are sought and that all persons found culpable will be brought to justice regardless of position.
“My position remains the same, that no such actions will be condoned by me…”
Arrindel pointed out that because of the seriousness of the allegations and the on-going investigation, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, while strongly condemning the actions of all persons who seek to interfere with the dreams of the young women, voted and decided to withdraw the Linden Town Week Pageant from this year’s scheduled activities.
“This does not mean that we are abandoning our delegates, who will be part of a procession with heads held high, not to participate in a pageant but to each receive a crown for their outstanding resilience.
These young women would have all changed their platforms to reflect the issues that are affecting young women and have pledged to speak on their individual platforms about their reasons for being a part of this movement of thousands of Lindeners who refuse to be cowed by any adversity!”
Arrindell said that reports of sexual abuse in the pageant industry usually get short-term attention and are forgotten with the passage of time but that this time, it will be different! She added that no more shall women, the best and brightest of our nation, be left to face the burden of such actions on their own.
According to Arrindel, the LM&TC is already taking steps to protect future delegates by imposing stringent guidelines for fundraising activities and would be seeking the involvement of relatives in supporting contestants through every stage of future events.
She further called on corporate Guyana to collaborate with and assist the Council in promoting responsible behaviour in pageantry sponsorship.
“As Mayor of Linden, a mother and daughter, I take this personally and I will not ask these courageous young women to cower and disappear from facing the harsh reality of this incident. All Lindeners should be proud of the fact that nothing, absolutely nothing, will deter these strong women from accomplishing their goals. “
Arrindel exhorted that justice be allowed to run its course. She urged that all come together to help ensure that these beautiful talented women illustrate to the world that despite obstacles, they will never quit.
After much deliberation, the Linden Town Week (LTW) Pageant 2018 was cancelled on Wednesday evening by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC). This is according to LTW Coordinator, Devin Sears.
The cancellation comes on the heels of reports of sexual misconduct involving a Linden businessman and one of the contestants.
The issue is being investigated by the police in ‘E’ Division (Demerara\Berbice).
Former Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland in a statement had called for the pageant to be cancelled in light of the scandal.
Holland had also suggested that all the young ladies should be crowned as municipal ambassadors so that they could spread positive messages to young girls across the municipality.
The scandalous revelations were first highlighted on Facebook by a concerned overseas-based Lindener.
Subsequently, both the Linden Mayor and Town Council and the AFC Party issued a statement to the media on the matter.

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