Celebrating and solemnly remembering Our Path to Independence

Apr 19, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

27th April, 2023 will mark the 70th anniversary since His Excellency President Dr. Jagan was first elected as Prime Minister. This was the highest office held by a Guyanese under the constitution for British Guiana before it was suspended.

Thus, officially starting our country down the path towards independence. Mr. Ede stated during the Commons Sitting, “Under Order No.586 a Constitution and a Legislature were granted to British Guiana: and at the end of April, a general election was held in which about 73 percent of the electorate voted.

One party received 51 percent of the votes and managed to get 75 percent of the seats” (Reference: UK Parliament Commons Sitting Orders of the Day 07 December 1953 vol 521 cc1624-763). It was also stated by Mr. Davies, “Because of the way in which the two orders were laid, I believe a case may be brought against Her Majesty’s Government in a court of law by Dr. Jagan and the other Ministers on the ground that they have been wrongly dismissed, because the Government did not act according to the Guiana Act”. (Reference: UK Parliament, Hansard Commons Chamber Orders of the Day, British Guiana (Suspension of Constitution) Volume 521: debated on Monday 7 December 1953). The suspension of the constitution being linked to the desire to establish a “People’s Police”, which would counter any future barbarous treatment of the workers as was demonstrated at Leonora (February 16, 1939) and Enmore (June 16, 1948). His Excellency was very concerned about the safety of our people.

He was quoted as saying, “Comrades, in the past when we asked for bread, we were given bullets and those who fired at workers were honoured by the masters. But when the PPP gets into power the same bullets which were fired on those poor people will be fired on our oppressors. We shall organize a Police Force; it will be known as the People’s Police”.

The House of Assembly convened on May 18, 1953, and Dr. Cheddi Jagan of the PPP was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 30, 1953. Comrades, our path towards independence was marred with bloodshed, but our sacrifice, determination, hard work, love for each other and our burning desire to be free helped us stay the course. Thanks to the great leaders before us and the Father of Our Nation, we are afforded today the opportunity to live in freedom. We must not allow disagreements to prevent us from succeeding in our pursuit of living comfortably as one people in prosperity.

His Excellency Dr. Jagan said, “The People’s Progressive Party, the vanguard of the National Liberation Movement, welcomes the announcement that British Guiana will soon attain nationhood. The party fails to understand, however, the significance of the date, May 26, unless it is the wish of the British and British Guiana governments to make it symbolic of their contempt for the Guyanese people and a grim reminder of the unfortunate events at Wismar on May 25/26, 1964, and their aim to keep the Guyanese people divided…”  Nov. 19, 1965 (Reference: Cheddi Jagan Research Center, Quotations by Dr. Cheddi Jagan).

The date of our liberation is ours to decide. We must agree to shift to another date that better represents the spirit of independence that we all embrace in today’s life of freedom. Our destiny can be shared if so desired, and our country can be built to stand strong in unity as one nation if we truly embrace the words of His Excellency President Dr. Jagan who said, “From this day forward, we shall need the goodwill and hard work of all our people so that we may proceed to make our country a fit and proper home for heroes in the struggle for political and economic independence. Let there be an end to sectional racial quarrels and suspicions so that national unity may be restored.” 1961 (Reference: Cheddi Jagan Research Center, Quotations by Dr. Cheddi Jagan). Today, we continue our pursuit for economic independence. To achieve this, the minds and hard work of each Guyanese is required. We must embrace the opportunities before us and together build a nation where corruption and crime are no longer embraced, where the needs of all Guyanese are of more importance than the needs of the few in power, and where the successes of our people are celebrated and encouraged. Together, we can achieve much more than if we are divided as a people.

The 27th April will always be remembered as the date when The Father of Our Nation was embraced by our people to fulfill our ambitions for Independence. Let’s celebrate it and solemnly remember the sacrifices made and the lives lost along the way. Whether it be by the lighting of a diya, the beating of a drum, the lighting of a candle, with a moment of silence, or the blowing of a trumpet, let us come together as a people at home and abroad and honour the path that has led us to Our Independence.

Best regards,

Mr. Jamil Changlee

Chairman

The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

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• Commons, Guyanese, independence, Mr. Jamil Changlee, Prime Minister

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