GUYANESE based in the United States, mainly New York, yesterday protested what they say is Venezuela’s continued claim to this country’s territory. 

Margaret Patterson Wickham, who hails from Suddie, on the Essequibo Coast, said: “I am proud to be a Guyanese; I am representing Guyana out here to tell Venezuela, ‘Not a blade of grass!’”
Essequibo is a main region claimed by Venezuela. “Guyana belongs to us. It was shaped by God, and taking away Essequibo will ‘de-shape it’; and that can’t happen,” Wickham said.
Kamla Balbacchan, also on the protest line, said: “I don’t need Venezuela to take anything.” The protest came on the heels of President David Granger’s address to the United Nations, where he called for protection for small states against aggression by the larger states.
“It’s our country! President Maduro is overstepping his bounds!” declared Charles Sugrim, another protestor.
“The border has been settled in 1899; there is absolutely no reason why they should be acting up this way. I really support the government’s move to ensure that this thing is settled once and for all. Essequibo belongs to Guyana! Period!” Sugrim said.
Ardita Bacchus, 48, who was born in Georgetown but went to schools on the Essequibo Coast, was also out protesting. “I am out here to represent Guyana; to stop Venezuela,” she said. The protestors danced in the street and sang the national anthem, several national songs and Dave Martins’ iconic “Not a Blade of Grass!”
Michael Pellew, 71, was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a young messenger when Venezuela moved to occupy the island of Ankoko in 1966.
“I was young, mad, and vigorous at that time; and I am madder about it today,” said Mr Pellew, who formerly lived at Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara.
Next to him was Esther Haynes-Strauss, who lived at Mackenzie, today’s Linden. “I am out here to send a clear message to Venezuela that Essequibo is our land, and it is time we have closure; because since I was a little girl, 50 years ago, I have been hearing about this,” she said.