During a peaceful miniprotest staged in front of Office of the President, a few women joined arms to clash with Red Thread’s calls to have Minister Lawrence demit from office.
The mini protest staged in front of the Office of the President
The women indicated that their presence there was not as a group but rather as concerned citizens advocating for the government, saying they believe the minister is being wilfully targeted.
They cited that they are angered by the recent criticisms that the minister had been tormented by persons in the public domain.
Holding their placards high, the women paraded in front of the office demanding that Red Thread withdraw its accusations and allow the minister to function without interference.
One of the protestors Karen Reece told Guyana Times that in light of the allegations laid out against the minister, a few women who are pro-Lawrence had initiated the protest to voice their support.
The woman pointed out that Lawrence has been faithfully and efficiently executing her duties since taking up office; and as such they considered the actions of the social groups protesting against her as unjust.
“They are making negative and scandalous allegations against the minister and we want them to halt this. The minister does not deserve this blasphemy.”
Making reference, she said Lawrence is generally well known to the public as one of the humanitarians who hold the best interest of children, elders, disabled and youths at heart, despite ethnicity, religion or social background.
“We love our government and appreciate the job that they do. The public should just work with them to fix this place and offer full support.” another protestor said.
Meanwhile another protestor Roxanna Prescott, said she holds the belief the minister serves her duties excellently and should rather be lauded than criticised.
The elderly woman said the minster has succeeded in securing a raise in pensioner’s benefits and this alone proves that she ‘has a good heart’.
Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence had come under the spotlight sometime last month after she was widely criticised for her comments on the Winston Harding case of alleged child molestation.
Lawrence had issued a comment stating that, “this is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason, I can’t tell you because if I had a brother, even if there was an accusation, this is not how I would go about helping him.”
The minister’s comment had been on the front burner for local media after interest groups including Red Thread, women of Help and Shelter, the Grass Root Women Across Race, Guyana Trans United and other concerned individuals started to stage protests.
The groups over the weeks have been strong in their demand for the removal Lawrence from her ministerial position, indicating that they would not cease the protests unless this is done by government.
Harding who at the time was competing the Local Government Elections under the APNU/AFC had been detached from the government as they withdrew its support of his candidacy.
Nonetheless Harding had gone ahead in competing in the elections and was elected councillor of the East and West Ruimveldt districts.
