APNU’s Youth Coalition for Transformation (YCT) burst onto the local scene with several demonstrations, boycott calls, as well as a call for its supporters to ‘ease up’ on what it saw as excessive spending, partying, frolicking etc. This would all sound well to the ears of any conscious-minded Guyanese, especially when the effects of excessive alcohol consumption which often is a spin-off from many of these activities are taken into consideration. But where it all became somewhat bizarre is when this very organisation that was calling for responsible spending proceeded to hold a few ‘sports’ of its own.  It started with the ‘Big Green Lime’ on Boxing Night then the ‘Big Green Ball’ on Old Year’s Night, now we are being told about a ‘Green Mash’, and who knows we might be in for ‘Green Zone’ come August of this year. I am sure none of the local promoters or other entrepreneurs will mind the competition from APNU, but what is problematic is the dishonesty being employed to perpetuate this ‘Green Hussle’.
To add credence to this belief, all one has to do is to examine the latest racist diatribe which emanated from the pen of Lurlene Nestor.  In a letter published in the Kaieteur News on Tuesday January 24th, Nestor wrote that one of the first drastic moves of the PPP/C upon its ascension to office in 1992 was a contemplated ban on the annual Mashramani celebrations.   She further stated that she believes the rationale for such a ‘calculated move’, hinged on a position held by that party which says that only Afro-Guyanese participate in Mashramani, or enjoy this celebration,  and  as a consequence they did not feel that Mash should be celebrated.
I will waste no time responding to such hogwash given that there is a plethora of evidence out there which clearly contradicts Nestor’s nonsense. And further, Nestor provided nothing to substantiate her claims except that which is regularly told to PNC supporters. What I do however,  wish to draw attention to is that this latest fit of nonsense is yet another attempt to ‘push deh hands’ into the pockets of Afro-Guyanese by trying to trick them into supporting the festivities to be held at Congress Place.  Nestor and her colleagues are telling supporters of the APNU, who are predominantly Afro Guyanese that the PPP/C wanted to ban Mash cause ya’ll enjoy this as a celebration, so don’t support their Mash, come to Congress Place. But then these very supporters would’ve noted the size of the PPP’s 2011 Mash band and could easily ask themselves: why would a political party that presumably has no interest in Mash send thousands on a float to partake in these festivities?
I find no fault with  APNU and its youth arm trying to raise funds, after all, it costs quite a lot to mobilise persons from villages as far as Linden, East and West Coast etc., to protest. These ‘youths’ who surprisingly are very mature in age, have to be fed and transported back to their villages after each march. So it is understandable if the APNU and YCT ask the beneficiaries of these marches to contribute towards this cause whilst having a little ‘frolic’. But it is simply disingenuous for them to go about using race, boycotts, intimidation etc., to achieve this end.