Dear Editor,
The Black Lives Matter movement was founded in 2013 in the USA in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Its mission is to eradicate White supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. Further, it states that the BLM will combat and counter acts of violence, and create space for Black imagination and innovation.
Years later, the Black Lives Matter movement-Guyana was launched on Emancipation Day, August 1st, 2020. Some of the issues which the BLM hopes to tackle are those related to the Afro-Guyanese struggle, inclusive of extra-judicial killings, Police brutality, Black economic suppression, and institutionalised racism.
It must be noted that the timing of the launching of BLM-Guyana coincided with the declaration of the PPP/C as the 2020 General and Regional Elections’ winner. I must say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with addressing the issues which the BLM intend to. However, the BLM movement in Guyana needs to understand that people of all races in Guyana have been the subject of so-called “extra-judicial killings” and not only Blacks. Many Indians, in pursuance of criminal activities, have been killed by Police in shootouts. There are exceptional cases wherein it would seem that the Police did not take all necessary steps to apprehend the suspects alive. These must be condemned in the strongest terms possible, and other races are involved as well.
In terms of economic suppression, this is NOT an issue for Blacks in Guyana. Even the former President was concerned about youths just imbibing Guinness instead of getting employment, although his Government never sought to provide any meaningful employment for any youths. In fact, if the evidence is considered properly, it has been the Indo-Guyanese who have been economically suppressed during the past 5 years. The closure of the four sugar estates has been the most vindictive act ever perpetrated against an industry which predominantly employed Indo-Guyanese. The marginalisation of Afro-Guyanese is a myth which must be dispelled.
In terms of institutionalised racism, we must look once again to what the PNC has practised for the last 5 years in Government. Thousands were dismissed simply because they are Indo-Guyanese and perceived to be PPP/C supporters. It was the Black-dominated PNC which promoted racism, and not cohesion.
At Buxton, Joseph Harmon made a most disparaging and disrespectful remark, not only to Brigadier Mark Phillips, but to all those Guyanese whose constitutional right it is to choose a political party of their choice. Harmon scornfully declared, “It is really a contemptuous act on the part of the PPP that says, ‘Look, once you put up a Black face deh, Black people are going to vote for you…No way! No way! No way, I say! No way, I say! No way!”
He further referred to Dr Jagdeo’s call for inclusivity of all races as a “contemptuous statement”. Imagine, this man later wanted inclusive governance.
Then the Chairwoman of the PNC, a former Government Minister, made it clear that, “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC…” We do not need a crystal ball to tell us that the predominant make-up of the PNC is Afro-Guyanese. The intent of the Coalition was never social cohesion, and billions were expended over the 5-year period just to provide “jobs” for the PNC supporters.
A burning question which any social movement such as the BLM should seek to answer is: “Why were thousands of Indo- and Indigenous Guyanese blatantly kicked out of their jobs?”
Are Afro-Guyanese superior to other Guyanese? Is it now a case of Black supremacy? We have seen that Granger and Harmon promoted the creation of vigilante groups and hailed the violent and bloody protests as “the correct response”. Why is BLM-Guyana silent on this?
We have seen that immediately after the racially inflammatory statements made by Granger and Harmon, the protests took a bloodier turn. Indo-Guyanese were targeted for brutal beatings, violent robberies, and wanton destruction of their properties. Is this the “justice” being sought?
At the Square of the Revolution, BLM-Guyana cried out, “No justice no peace!” The protestors in various parts of Berbice echoed this very cry. What “justice” are the protestors seeking? The Crime Branch of the GPF were obstructed from performing their duties, so that justice is served. Is “justice” to be dispensed by a lynch mob? Is justice achieved by beating and robbing Indo-Guyanese?
The gruesome murders must be properly investigated, and the law enforcement and judicial systems must be given opportunity to function. If the law enforcement agency fail to do their jobs, then there would be justification for peaceful protests and cries for justice. I would then urge all Guyanese to join the protests.
I would like to echo Minister Benn’s admonition: “We cannot fight crime with crime”, and President Ali’s exhortation: “Justice should not be associated with criminality”. It is time for the GPF to start making some arrests and protect the lives and properties of other Guyanese.
Moreover, I was not in the least shocked by the response meted out to Minister Benn when he tried to speak to the protestors in an effort to allay their ‘fears’ and resolve the issues. In addition to this, the violent reaction to President Ali’s visit made it clear that the protestors have a political agenda, which is being dictated by the PNC. This is taken from the old PNC Playbook.
It was clear that Harmon’s instructions given earlier were being carried out. It was purely political, and it was no longer about the two youths, but the agenda now is to destabilise the Government. As Guyanese, we have seen the horrendous Bartica and Lusignan massacres which were carried out by the ‘Fine Man’ gang which was dubbed by the PNC as ‘freedom fighters’, yet the law enforcers were not obstructed in carrying out their functions. It must be recalled that 11 persons, including 5 children, were slaughtered in their sleep at 1.30 a.m. at Lusignan, and 12 persons were massacred at Bartica. There were no violent and bloody protests although 23 lives were snuffed out. Most of the gang members were killed in shootouts with law enforcers, whilst some were charged, tried and convicted.
I am sure that, ironically, members of the Fine Man Gang who were killed have now been classified as ‘extra-judicial’ killing.
The PNC must never be allowed to take this country back to the past, and all Guyanese must see these protests for what they actually are. It is not about seeking justice, but power! BLM Guyana should seek to counter the violent protests orchestrated by the PNC. It paints a bad and damaging picture of Blacks in Guyana.
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
