– urges public to beware those fanning flames of racial animosity
THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) said it has noted recent statements made by Professor Clive Thomas, Ms. Africo Selman and Mr. Desmond Trotman while they were guests on the programme, ‘Walter Rodney Groundings’ aired on HBTV channel 9 on Sunday 24th April, 2011. The Commission, in a statement yesterday, said it “wishes to make clear to the two gentlemen and the lady as well as to the general public that, contrary to the statements made, the actions of the Commission have never been and will never be, politically motivated.”

QUOTE: ‘ERC says it will not be influenced by praises nor by criticisms.’

On this note, the Commission made it clear that it “will not be influenced by praises nor by criticisms”.
“For Professor Thomas to claim that the ERC, by way of its Chairman is trying to manipulate African opinion is wholly irresponsible, a careless use of language and of itself manipulative,” the ERC stated.
The Commission also challenged Professor Thomas and the others who were part of that programme to bring evidence to show where it has acted in a manner that was unfair, biased or can be considered as designed to manipulate Guyanese of African descent.
“If they cannot bring such evidence or provide logical and convincing arguments then they should retract their statements forthwith and desist from similar behaviour in the future,” the ERC warned.
The Commission has noted that “while Thomas, Trotman and Selman paid lip service to the statements by Ogunseye, they were sensible enough to steer clear of making similar statements.”
According to the ERC, the tens of thousands of Guyanese who have actively engaged with the Commission in the past can attest that the Commission at all times acts in the interest of all Guyanese who whole-heartedly desire peace and ethnic harmony in this country.
“The public is urged to be mindful of those attempting to fan the flames of racial animosity,” the ERC warned.