Adrianna Younge’s death: Business community calls for peace & stability after political hijacking of peaceful protests turns into public terror

…victim’s father calls for peace after inciting violence, mayhem

Several individuals and entities have added their voice to calls for peace and stability across the country, following the political hijacking of the Adrianna Younge case, which sparked widespread violence last night.
Among those urging an end to the violence that has broken out was Subrian Younge, the father of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose death last week sparked protests that devolved into civil unrest.

Adrianna’s father Subrian Younge made a public call on Tuesday for protestors to desist from the violence and mayhem they are causing. He said that such actions dishonour his daughter’s legacy and what she would have wanted.
“Everybody who out there who say they love Adrianna and want to be there for Adrianna; Adrianna won’t like violence. I telling you all the truth from me heart. From me heart, Adrianna don’t like violence. Adrianna not a violent girl so if you all please love me daughter, you all stop the violence,” Younge said in a video posted on Tik Tok.

However, he came under major criticism, after persons called him out on social media for his comments on Monday evening. Some have pointed out, however, that Younge’s calls for peace were made only after he himself made certain inciteful comments. For instance, he was captured on video, calling for more protests due to police efforts to wrestle control from the protestors.
“These people come fuh give they support and they shoot them like dogs. Duh hurt me. The whole of Guyana watching right about now. Yall do like what Georgetown do. Yall come out in the streets,” Younge said, while surrounded by a crowd of supporters. A video which went viral on social media, showed him as a pillion rider on a motorcycle riding around in apparent cheer while persons lit fire on the roadways.

Hijacked & criminal elements
Meanwhile, calls for peace to prevail also came from the business community – Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and Private Sector Commission.

While they acknowledged the right to peaceful protest, the business organisations condemned the violence caused by those hijacking the legitimate calls for justice and urged the disciplined forces to act swiftly. In the case of GCCI, they noted that criminal elements have been taking advantage of the people’s frustrations.

“Criminal elements have hijacked and preyed upon frustrations over recent incidents, and the acts of violence, looting and destruction witnessed on Monday and the wee hours of Tuesday morning only serve to create unrest and create divides among our people,” GCCI said.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) also condemned the violence while offering solidarity with Adrianna’s grieving family: “We join the nation in mourning and stand in full solidarity with her loved ones as they seek answers and justice. We urge all citizens to avoid actions that could lead to harm against fellow Guyanese.”
The PSC emphasised that the right to protest must be exercised lawfully, and called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to “take decisive and appropriate action to bring those responsible for acts of violence and destruction to justice.”
Looting and obstruction
Also issuing statements were the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Region Three Private Sector. The Region Five Chamber noted that looting and obstruction of roadways have been occurring throughout Region Five and other parts of the country.

“We strongly condemn the acts of violence, looting and obstruction of roadways that have occurred in various communities in Region No. 5 and the country at large, including Belladrum Village, Paradise Village, Burma Road, No. 28 Village, Armadale Village, Hopetown, No. Eight Village and No. Five Village. Such actions not only endanger lives but also disrupt the economic stability and social harmony of our region and country,” they said.
For its part, the Region Three Chamber called for national unity and, with a specific focus on the death of Younge, urged that reforms be made at all recreational facilities including those at hotels and public venues.
“All swimming pools, especially those at hotels and public venues, must be equipped with trained lifeguards and appropriate safety infrastructure to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The safety of our children must never be compromised,” the regional private sector organisation said.
Additionally, as a result of the violence perpetrated, the commercial districts in Georgetown and most parts across the country were closed on Tuesday– with several business owners expressing concerns about operating in the existing environment.