Guyana and its people first! Forward ever! Backward never!

Dear Editor,
Yesterday President Irfaan Ali visited Linden to meet with the grieving families of Ronaldo Peters and Keon Fogenay, two young men whose lives have been taken by an excessive and unjustified use of force by the Guyana Police Force.
I and all Lindeners strongly condemn the actions of those officers, and demand swift JUSTICE from an independent investigation and reform in the Guyana Police Force.
As the people’s Parliamentary Representative, I attended that meeting with one goal: to seek solutions to end these senseless killings; and also to stand with the families in their pain, because these are people I know personally.
At the start of the meeting, the President shook my hand among the hands of many others present. When it comes to matters of state, being respectful and courteous to the Head of State is a no-brainer decision for me. It will always come naturally, without isms and schisms. This is expected as a matter of basic courtesy according to the rules and maxims we learn at an early age.
Deviation from such basic norms should be saved for cases of collective national rebellion for just cause, which does not currently exist in our country.
Strangely, my latest act of basic decency has again led to me being attacked by a few of the usual suspects, and I was called the names we are now so familiar with. Had I not exercised common courtesy by shaking the President’s hand, the media would have focused on me, instead of the real issues: the violence, the affected families, the fatherless children, the heartbroken mothers, and the injustice perpetrated against these young men, whose lives have been unjustly taken.
So, I ask every Guyanese: when politicians/leaders are consumed by hate, self-interest, pettiness and racism, who truly suffers? Who really benefits?
I have dedicated my life to the people of Region 10 as their APNU Parliamentarian beyond the rhetoric. I fight for justice, not personal gain. If we continue down this path of division, destruction, disunity and injustice, where does it lead us? Who wins?
I put Guyana and its people first! Forward ever! Backward Never!

Yours respectfully,
Jermaine Figueira,
MP