Walter Rodney is screaming loudly
The disruption of the PPP/C meeting in Victoria must be condemned by all. This followed a similar situation in Buxton. On both occasions hundreds of peaceful Guyanese came out to listen to the messages of the PPP/C, in areas that are considered to be strongholds of the PNC. On both occasions, supporters of APNU turned up and disrupted the meetings. On both occasions, the PPP/C supporters stood their ground in a defiant show of not allowing themselves to be intimidated by persons, who, from all reports, were bussed in and paid.

In Victoria, the actions of the disrupting APNU supporters went further than in Buxton. In the first village to be bought by African ancestors, the APNU bunch intimidated the peaceful gathering and the speakers. The intimidation went beyond mere verbal taunting. They pelted the speakers, tried to break the podium and even doused one PPP/C supporter with kerosene! Under no circumstances could such behaviour be considered as normal. Someone could have lost his life had the kerosene-soaked clothing been ignited.

Those who felt the brunt of that assault were not afraid to make public what they endured at the hands of those who, one can only assume, were deliberately sent to break up the meeting. The police are currently investigating the matter.
In Buxton, it was reported that a gentleman wearing a PPP/C jersey was physically assaulted by the APNU supporters who disrupted that meeting. It was also reported that the bridges of some of those who attended the meeting in a show of support for the PPP/C were removed by the same disruptive individuals.

These situations were made public by those who suffered. Such actions of disruption can only lead one to conclude that APNU has become desperate after seeing the support the PPP/C has gotten in areas which the PNC feels are theirs. It also shows that the PNC has not changed, despite its new name APNU, from a party that intimidates and instills fear. Ironically, APNU/PNC continues to articulate their adherence to democratic principles. How could it be deemed democratic when APNU supporters, using force, deny citizens the right to congregate and associate with a political party of their choice?

Is it that APNU/PNC feels that the PPP/C must not campaign in areas that are considered loyal to the palm tree, now the pair of hands? Is it that APNU/PNC, having lost ground, does not want to accept that the PPP/C has made significant strides in all areas? The people of Buxton and Victoria are entitled to listen to all political parties, including the PPP/C. As such, the actions of those who were coerced into disrupting the meeting must be unconditionally condemned. Excuses must not be made to justify such actions.

That is why it is extremely mind-boggling to hear what Rupert Roopnarine, the Prime Ministerial candidate of APNU said with regard to the Victoria incident. In a press conference, after those who suffered related their story publicly, he posited that the reported actions did not violate the law and are considered normal practices in election campaigning! Are we hearing correctly? Is Mr. Roopnarine of the WPA saying that such actions are acceptable? This is the same gentleman who lobbied for justice after the WPA accused the PNC of being responsible for the death of Dr. Walter Rodney! Young voters must research the assassination of Dr. Rodney and the cries of the WPA against the then ruling PNC.

Only then can they truly understand what transpired during the oppressive time of the PNC and the fight for freedom by Dr. Rodney and Mr. Roopnarine. Now, Mr. Roopnarine is defending the violence meted out to others by APNU/PNC supporters! Is it because he lobbied for the PM slot he has to now toe the line? How could someone like Mr. Roopnarine be so hypocritical as to be associated with and defending those accused of plotting the demise of Dr. Rodney? Any credibility in such circumstances instantly disappears. What is getting louder are the screams emanating from Dr. Rodney’s grave. He screams to see his one time colleague “in bed” with those who were accused of putting him in the cemetery!