APNU/AFC-backed New York rally “deceitful, dishonourable, race-baiting” – President Ali

…calls for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to re-examine motive

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday called the Opposition-backed rally in New York on Sunday a dishonourable and deceitful event filled with lies, hate and race-baiting.

The President made the statement on the side lines of an event on the East Coast of Demerara.
“I think that it is very deceitful, dishonourable and obstructionist that people would go to the extent that they went in telling lies… It was just an event filled with lies, hate and racism race-baiting and I’m very disappointed that people who should have some amount of credibility, but find themselves, enveloped in this type of behaviour,” he said.
Sunday’s anti-Government rally was hosted by a group called Guyanese Organisations Against Racism and saw the participation of US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. During the rally, protesters called for the removal of the US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch for the role she played in condemning the APNU/AFC’s attempt to rig the 2020 General Elections.
Several of the APNU/AFC’s Members of Parliament and its regional representatives attended the event which was held in Brooklyn, New York. They include MPs Sherod Duncan, Ganesh Mahipaul, Juretha Fernandes, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Amanza Walton-Dezir; Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Chairman Daniel Seeram; and Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Vice Chair Kamal Persaud along with others.

Ali said that the statements made by Jeffries are unfortunate and very concerning.
“It’s very concerning, that you have persons who profess to have credibility envelope in that type of behaviour calling on time’s up for the Government, time’s up Ambassador. Listen, well then it has to be time’s up for Caricom, time’s up for the OAS, time’s up for EU, time’s up for all the countries and all the international bodies…that supported the efforts to have a democratic environment in Guyana and defeated the efforts of those who try to rig the election and install themselves, undemocratically in the country,” the President told reporters.

Re-examine motive
At the event, Congressman Jeffries, whose support for the APNU/AFC never wavered during their attempt to rig the elections, allowed himself to be influenced by partisan reports of racial discrimination.
Jeffries claimed that he has been following the events in Guyana since the PPP/C took office in August 2020.

“I am open to engagement with anyone. But when someone who professes to be credible, in the face of what OAS would say, in the face of what the EU would say, Canada, the US, the Carter Center, and still envelope himself in the lies and the deception and the hate that went on there, then I think that a serious examination or re-examination is needed as to what the motive was,” Ali urged.
The President went on to say that he is open to engagement with anyone, even Jeffries, in the interest of the development of Guyana.
“My focus is on the people of this country, all the people, and nothing that they do or nothing that they plan will ever wean my energy, or distract me from that focus of working hard every day for all the people of our country,” he said.

“Mere desperation”
In a strongly worded statement late Sunday night, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips condemned the protests – noting that they are an act of desperation by the Joseph Harmon-led Opposition.
The Prime Minister said the assertions made against the PPP/C Administration during the events are false and malicious as he rapped the APNU/AFC for propagating racial division and tension in Guyana and in the Diaspora.
He related that the Government rejects all the fallacious statements made at the rally by all of the speakers there.
“The APNU continues to propagate racial division and tension in Guyana and in the Diaspora through the dissemination of inaccurate information about the Government of Guyana and by extension, the People’s Progressive Party. These attacks are mere desperation by the APNU who, one year later, refuses to accept the results of the 2020 General Elections needless to say, after a lengthy court battle,” the Prime Minister said in his statement.
In relation to the remarks made by Jeffries, Phillips said “Further, we note the remarks made by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and find them to be quite appalling. We are disappointed that the Congressman has allowed himself to be negatively influenced by individuals who are adamant in destroying our beautiful country by instigating violence and division amongst our people.”
In calling on the US politician to desist from participating in these activities, the Prime Minister invited him to have discussions with the Guyana Government on matters of mutual interest. He further emphasised that the PPP/C Government led by President Ali is working for the benefit of all Guyanese and evidence would show that they uphold democratic principles, adhere to equitable practices, embrace diversity and inclusivity and promote transparency at all levels. (G2)