Looting & public terror: Norton now emphasises “peaceful” protest after violence

Opposition Leader and Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, who had earlier encouraged citizens to protest in the wake of the tragic death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, is now urging calm after violent incidents and widespread looting marred demonstrations across the country.
In a public broadcast on Tuesday, Norton reiterated his support for protests, but condemned the criminal behaviour that followed. “Let me say to you, we are all for peaceful protest. We will condone no criminal activities,” Norton said firmly. “We urge the Guyana Police Force to pursue the criminals. We demand that the Police Force deal with the criminals and not become the criminals themselves.”
Norton also called for the immediate release of Robin Simon, a PNCR activist whom he said was arrested while peacefully protesting. However, the Police used Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage and social media posts to identify looters and those inciting them.

At the same time, he claimed that some of the protests were infiltrated by temporary Government workers and misdirected into violence. This claim has since caused persons to criticise Norton, whom they said know fully well that what he was saying about the Government’s part-time workers was untrue.
While calling for justice for Adrianna, Norton said, “We are all for peace, but it must be with justice.”
Echoing Norton’s sentiments, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Nigel Hughes, along with other Opposition-aligned leaders from Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), issued a joint statement urging protesters to end all violent and destructive actions. Hughes’s call to end the destructive actions too came after the terror on Monday evening.
“Violence, looting, and lawlessness are not justice,” Hughes emphasised. “Burning property or blocking roads will not bring peace. It will not honour Adriana’s life. Not in her name.”
He continued, “Let us demand justice with discipline. Let us stand together – across race, region, and party – to ensure this tragedy is not buried in bureaucracy or politics.”

Meanwhile, the joint statement was endorsed by Region 10 Vice Chairman Mark Goring, Members of Parliament (MPs) Devin Sears and Jermaine Figueira, Mayor Sharma Solomon, and Deputy Mayor Dominique Blair. They strongly condemned the hijacking of the protest movement by individuals intent on destruction, insisting that such actions do not represent the call for justice.
They also warned that continued disruption would harm the very communities seeking justice, interrupting access to health care, education, and essential services. They also expressed concern for students currently preparing for critical exams like the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), working in tandem with the Home Affairs Ministry and Public Works Ministry, has been actively clearing blocked roadways. Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, along with senior Police officials and the Special Projects Unit (SPU), visited several affected areas to clean up and assess infrastructure damage.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the visits were part of a “coordinated response to assess the extent of the damage and to ensure timely interventions to restore normalcy and maintain public safety”.
The GPF confirmed the continuation of Joint Services patrols and reported that within 24 hours, 100 individuals had been arrested for offences ranging from looting to robbery under arms. Additionally, 37 motorcycles used in criminal activities were seized, and charges are expected to be laid shortly against the perpetrators.
As the dust settles on a tumultuous 24 hours, Opposition Leaders and government officials alike are urging a return to peace, even as the call for justice for Adrianna Younge remains loud and resolute.