…says action does not augur well for Guyana’s democratic future
A public march organized by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) to take place at Enterprise/Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara (internal streets) had to be aborted yesterday afternoon (April 25, 2017) after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) refused to grant permission.
This is according to GAWU, who in a press briefing and subsequent release noted that the refusal by the GPF was surprising. The Union posited that no reason was provided for the refusal and when they attempted to seek an explanation form the police they received no response.
The Union said that the planned march which was aborted was one of the activities being organized by them to raise awareness of the plight faced by sugar workers, and their surrounding communities which they say are on the precipice of economic disaster should the Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) go ahead with plans to further close estates.
According to GAWU the police in ensuring that their decision was enforced turned up at the point where the march was scheduled to commence with no less than seven (7) armed officers. Moreover, the Union said that “another officer with a video camera carefully filmed those persons present.”
“The large number of workers and residents who turned out to participate in the march were most upset by the Police’s denial. They felt that refusal was tantamount to a denial of their inalienable and constitutional right and an affront to Freedom of Expression” said GAWU.
All the speakers present quickly assembled at a nearby yard where they, among other things, strongly condemned the refusal of the GPF to grant permission for the march. It was noted that “this was yet another instance signalling that democracy in our country is coming under threat.”
GAWU says it has been conducting public meetings and marches in several areas of the country and their applications to the Police “have always been in order and favourably considered…Moreover, we always abide by the rational conditions of the Police Force. This unusual denial, therefore, is of great concern and worry to us. Our Union while being respectful of the laws of the land at the same time wishes to register its strongest condemnation at this refusal which, in effect, is not in keeping with established Trade Union rights and serves to deny citizens their right of peaceful protest and assembly.”
Their most recent activity was a public meeting held on April 20, 2017 at Balla Square, Line Path, Corentyne, Berbice.
GAWU said it believes that this development does not augur well “for our democratic future or for the touted ‘Good Life’ which is so elusive to the workers. We call on all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn this denial and to follow up with representation to the relevant authorities and organisations.”
