PEOPLE have a right to engage in protests and even to engage in boycotts (of institutions, businesses, etc) and other fundamental democratic rights but not to demand money from the business community in exchange for protection.
It is shocking to find out that the business community is being asked to fund protests.
In the US, the bastion of free speech and assembly, people have unlimited rights to engage in protests but not to disrupt the lives of others. If protesters disrupt others or intimidate businesses, they are arrested, jailed and fined.
And if they demand money from anyone, that leads to immediate arrest. And as far as rights go, protesters in Guyana have no right to disrupt businesses or boycott businesses or demand money or intimidate and harass people for their political affiliation as planned and executed by supporters of an opposition party.
Such tactics are not even allowed in the U.S. Thus, the Guyanese authorities have the right to take all measures against the protesters bent on disrupting normalcy in society.
While in Guyana last week, I was informed that leaders of protesters were demanding money from businesses to offer them protection.
In one instance, a businessman (is alleged to have) paid US$2,500 for protection. Why the protest leader needed US dollars was inexplicable – readers can form their own conclusion.
Other businesses paid out millions of dollars to hold off threats of protesters camping in front of their businesses. This is wrong. The business community should not be required to pay protection money. The authorities need to crack down against protesters who threaten businesses or demand money. That is thuggery.
It is morally, ethically and legally wrong for people to be punished for their political affiliation or required to pay money to ward off protesters from their premises. That is not the kind of change people voted for last month. 
And where are the political leaders of the protest movements? Why aren’t they holding their sub-leaders in line and punishing them for making veiled threats against businesses demanding money?
Business people, indeed everyone, should be free to associate and support whoever they wish without having to think about the consequences from thugs who oppose them.
No one has any right to go after business people who they don’t like and to demand money in order to offer protection against business disruption. These actions are reminiscent of what occurred during the dictatorship (1966 thru 1992) when businessmen were shaken down (for money) and brutalised when they refused to cooperate.
That is an old intimidation tactic that does not belong in this day and age in a society that allows a civil discourse to resolve issues and where democracy is secure. The business community has memories of similar terror marches in 1992, 1997 and 2001 when the PNC refused to accept defeat at the polls and businesses were severely affected hurting the economy and causing many to lose jobs and income.
The business community also has not forgotten the executions of many business persons during the period of terror (2002 and 2004) carried out by individuals opposed to the government.
The actions of protesters must be condemned by all. The AFC, as a responsible party, should take the lead position against the intimidation and the alleged shake down of business people for money to fund the protest movement and/or to celebrate the holidays.
AFC benefitted a lot from the business community which funded their campaign. The AFC should not sit idly by and allow protesters to go after the business community. The party must take a tough stand against illegal activities.