PPP/C peaceful protest for the return of “Carter Center”

Dear Editor,
Leading members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) organised a “peaceful’ picketing demonstration to strengthen the call for the reputable Carter Center observers to return to Guyana and participate in the ongoing March 2, 2020 National and Regional Elections recount.
The caretaker Government in Guyana has bluntly refused to allow The Carter Center and the IRI advisor to participate in the overseeing of the recount of the votes cast in the March 2, 2020 elections.
The PPP/C organised approximately thirty persons to follow the COVID protocols and participate in a peaceful picketing exercise to strengthen the call for the international observers. It must be noted that the persons in the protest in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were all wearing a mask on their face, they had on their ‘peaceful’ picketing tag. Further, they were standing on the road shoulder approximately twelve feet apart from each other, in compliance with established regulations.
The police came and insisted that the protesters leave from in front of the Ministry. Former Minister of Government Dr Jenifer Westford explained that we were quietly standing on the parapet in support of the return of The Carter Center.
At no time the peaceful protesters chanted anything. There was no chanting and ranting. At no time was a vocal demonstrator arrested. Because there was no vocal demonstrator.
Guyanese are of the view that the Granger caretaker Government is using COVID-19 conveniently to discriminate against peaceful citizens.
Among the protesters were Attorney-at-law and former Minister Priya Manickchand, who pleaded with the officers to appreciate that the peaceful protesters were within the Laws of Guyana and they were indeed peaceful.
The police were on their phones receiving instructions from the APNU/PNC.
One of the persons arrested was never in the ‘picketing’ line, while Neil Kumar was fully within his ‘rights” to support the return of The Carter Center.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar