…PPP/C supporter
– Persaud says flagrant breach of Code of Conduct will not intimidate support base
NABACALIS resident Loretta Culley, mother of two, who was among several persons harassed and assaulted Wednesday evening by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) supporters at Victoria, East Coast Demerara, told media operatives yesterday that the attacks are no joke, but a real issue that affects real people.
“I am now scared for my children…when you walk they calling you Ramotar and saying things like you cup got a hole, and calling you soup drinker…this is a real thing,” Culley said.
Culley and others attended a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) public meeting at Victoria Wednesday night, and were harassed and assaulted when APNU supporters were bussed into the community and disrupted the meeting.
She added that apart from being harassed, a group of 12 persons came to her home at around 00:30hours later that night and issued threats to her and her family.
Culley was one of three persons who spoke to media operatives during a press briefing at Freedom House yesterday.

DOUSED
Forty-two-year-old Clinton Harris, a labourer from Nabacalis, was doused with kerosene and chased some distance before he was taken to the Cove and John police station, along with others to give statements.
Harris related that Joseph Hamilton was the first speaker at the public meeting that was disrupted by APNU supporters, with placard cards and posters, who were chanting “Granger”, and even attempted to storm the podium.
The next speaker was Mr. Anil Nandlall, whose presentation was similarly affected.
“We were there standing peaceful,” Harris maintained.
He said after the meeting broke up, residents dispersed, adding that there was some chaos after an explosion which has been verified as gunshots were heard.
“We left to get transportation home. A bus stopped and some young people came out and headed in our direction…my whole left side was doused with kerosene. I was frightened so I ran…I had on a PPP/C t-shirt so I was a target. They had a burning of Donald Ramotar poster, so I ran for safety,” Harris related.
He stated that bottles, bricks and sticks were thrown at PPP/C supporters and some were cuffed by APNU supporters.
“The police took us to the Cove and John station…we were harassed there because they said we lie that no one ain’t attack us,” Harris bemoaned.
Another woman, Ms. Patricia Johnson, pointed out that the police who were there did not take her with them and not long after she was surrounded by a group of people.
“They calling me things like coolie slave and soup drinker…a police woman who came up rescued me and then I go over to the police station,” she said.

CONDEMNED   
PPP/C campaign spokesman, Minister Robert Persaud, strongly condemned the acts of violence perpetrated on the victims.
He said the matter has been raised with the police and added that the PPP/C will be taking the issue to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and international observers.
“At minimum, we expect GECOM to condemn the act,” Persaud said.
According to him, this type of violence is not needed, particularly this close to elections day.
Persaud noted that precautions are always taken at these public meetings, adding that, internally, mechanisms are put in place to control such situations, should they get out of hand.
“Our activists know that if something happens they should call someone and be guided,” he said.
One of the supporters present at the public meeting noted that there was police presence at the meeting, but many of the officers were behind the crowd.

IMPLICATIONS
Asked about the implications, Persaud told media operatives that the parties Code of Conduct is not a legally binding document; rather is self-regulatory and as such, no legal means of recourse can be pursued, other than having those directly responsible dealt with by the law.
He said the Party expects that the police will be swift and comprehensive in its investigation.
The campaign spokesman explained that APNU breached two of the principles contained in the document which states clearly that parties should not revert to acts of violence or intimidation during their campaigning.
Persaud made it clear that this type of action will not intimidate the PPP/C’s support base; rather it would strengthen people’s will to go out and vote for continued prosperity come elections day.
“This will not intimidate people…it will energize people,” he said.

DOUBLE STANDARD
Persaud pointed out that at the time of the incident APNU’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. David Granger, was at another forum speaking of his party’s plans for law and order in Guyana.
He noted that the actions of the Party’s supporters show just what the APNU has in store for Guyana, since it continues to exhibit the same behaviour of the People’s National Congress (PNC).
Persaud stated that one would expect that a party that wants to rule Guyana would not so flagrantly breech the guidelines for the conduct of free and fair elections – a move that reinforces a negative public opinion.

APNU’s TAKE
APNU, yesterday at its press conference, charged that the incident at Victoria is surrounded by misinformation, adding that the citizens who are protesting across the country are normal residents who are fed up with the neglect meted out to them by the incumbent PPP/C Administration.
“APNU is further calling on the PPP/C to desist from misinforming the Guyanese public and the world that APNU supporters are disruptive at meetings and rallies of the PPP/C,” a statement released from the party said.
It added that APNU was reliably informed that frustrated residents took it upon themselves to protest the lies spouted by the PPP/C representatives at a PPP/C meeting held in Victoria Village. 
“Residents expressed that for the past 19 years they have suffered extreme hardships including pervasive poverty, lack of running water, electricity, street lights and lack of job opportunities for the youth of Victoria, and have rarely witnessed visits of any PPP/C government officials to their village,” the release said.
APNU also raised concerns that a supporter was shoved and slapped in the chest by an officer on the scene. 
“APNU is concerned that police are today attempting to arrest this supporter for being the “ring leader”. 
“We call on the Guyana Police Force to investigate Mr. Culley’s discharge of a firearm in a public place and we further call for our supporters not to be harassed, detained or arrested for exercising their democratic rights,” APNU said.