Adriana’s death will be catalyst to drive changes in Guyana-Witter tells Labour Day rally

Adriana’s death will be catalyst to drive changes in Guyana—Witter tells Labour Day rally

May 02, 2025 News

By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News- Given recent concerns regarding the inefficiency and lack of transparency within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Norris Witter, said on Thursday that the outpouring of grief across the country will be the catalyst to drive changes in the country.

Adriana’s death will be catalyst to drive changes in Guyana---Witter tells Labour Day rally

Scenes from the Labour Day rally and march

Witter made the comments during his address at the union’s Labour Day rally held under tents at the burnt-out Critchlow Labour College. Witter, during his address, stated that 11-year-old Adriana’s death will not go in vain and will be a “catalyst for great revolution”, calling for systemic reforms within the State.

The preceding rally and march saw a low turnout of unions participating in the heavy rainfall. The procession began at Parade Ground around 9:00 hrs, with workers marching from the intersection of Middle and Carmichael Streets, onto Albert Street, then Woolford Avenue, before gathering at the Critchlow Labour College. Marchers walked under the theme, “We need a change where the state respects workers’ rights.” The unions that marched under the GTUC banner were: Guyana Post and Telecommunication Workers Union (GPTWU), General Workers Union (GWU), Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU), and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU).

However, the overall turnout was low, and several other unions, including the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), chose not to participate in the march, expressing concerns about the safety of workers in the wake of Monday’s riot across the country. Addressing workers at the College, much attention was given to 11-year-old Adriana Younge, and the systemic failure of proper management and protection of citizens. Witter expressed deep concern over the state’s treatment of workers and the lack of accountability within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“The theme is ‘we need a change, and the state must respect workers’ rights.’ That theme is laudable,” Witter told attendees. “But I would like to say something to you today: I do not have any faith in the current regime. Despite the demands of the GTUC to respect workers’ rights, the state hasn’t done so. Over the past four years or thereabouts, we have seen where the state has violated the rights of workers with impunity.”

Witter called for a complete shift in governance to restore public trust and uphold democratic values. “If we decide to have a state that will not only respect the rights of workers but will subscribe to the theme of good governance, then there must be a change of the status quo. And that’s why, for those who don’t understand, we need new faces, new right faces.”

In a particularly emotional moment during his speech, Witter referenced recent instances of alleged state violence and failures of the GPF, calling for justice and reform. “We are not saying all police are bad. We are saying that there are enough rogue elements within the police force to make the society unsafe. You have the shooting in Linden, and we had the heinous death of Adriana Younge,” Witter said. “I am suggesting to you that the criminals murdered her, or the state assassinated her. The state must be held responsible for the fact that it was one of the arms of the state, by not giving her the kind of protection that she needed and practicing hatred.”

He added, “If we are to have good governance, or have respect for law, personal security, for life and liberty, there must be new faces and right faces.” With visible emotion, Witter emphasized the significance of Younge’s death. “It is my view that Adriana’s death — murder — assassination will not go in vain! Strange things are happening not only in Guyana but in the world. But I do believe that Adriana will be the catalyst for a great revolution. Adriana will be the catalyst that will ensure that there will be new faces and right faces in the state. And I say to you, each and every one of you: speak her name.”

Scenes from the Labour Day rally and march

The Labour Day observance, rooted in a tradition dating back to the 1930s under the leadership of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and his British Guiana Labour Union, continues to be a platform for workers to voice demands. Since being declared a national holiday on May 1, 1958, Labour Day has symbolized unity and resistance. This year, workers not only called for improved wages and the removal of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxation but also demanded systemic reforms and respect from the State.

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