THE Bluetoother would like to note that the deaths in Linden were unfortunate. While that is so, the so-called “peaceful protest” was clearly the genesis of the ugly incident. The Opposition took advantage of the proposal to increase electricity tariffs there for their own political gratification and cajoled residents into protesting. As usual, Opposition led protest are never peaceful. It must be recalled how the usual instigators of protest, Mark, Freddie, Lincoln, Gerhard and the others, went to the town after the decision was announced and led the protest. They did promise to shut the town down. The question is how shutting down that or any town can be called peaceful protest? While people have the right to protest, it is not a right to prevent others from going about their business!
With regard to the reason for the protest, what people out of the town there don’t know is that Lindeners use far more electricity than other people and pay far less for it! There was a time when Lindeners got it almost for free! The Prime Minister did propose that the rates be increased, but not to the amount everyone else is paying. The proposed increase wouldn’t even reach anywhere near half of what others across the country are paying, with some not having to pay anything if they use up to fifty kilowatts! Any how you twist and turn it, even with the proposed increase which would have been spread over some years; the people in Linden would still be paying far less than others!
APNU and AFC, and people do not really know the difference; say the increase will bring “hardship” to the people of Linden and that the government is “vindictive”. How is it vindictive for a small set of people to pay next to nothing for electricity while everyone else pay a high rate! Why must Linden continue to pay less? That is the story and the “reason” why the instigators rally the residents to protest with the help of some from the City who were transported there. The right to protest “peacefully” doesn’t mean blocking and burning bridges to forcibly halt the flow of traffic. Such actions are against the law. People are supposed to wear arm-bands when protesting peacefully. Clearly, no one was wearing such an indicator!
“Peaceful protest” doesn’t mean blocking roads so that supply trucks can’t get to areas where people are depending on them. “Peaceful protest” doesn’t mean deliberately putting derelict vehicles and other objects to block thoroughfares. While peaceful protest is allowed by law, it doesn’t mean it is a licence to prevent other citizens from exercising their rights not to protest and to do their work! Why since the raise in tariffs was proposed in April, only now, in the last half of July, they are staging “intensified protest” led by the usual naysayers from Georgetown? Clearly it is not a coincidence that the “peaceful protest” coincided with the day the Chief Justice ruled on the budget cuts and very close to the upcoming Congress of the PNC! Maybe the protest is a manifestation of the fight between Granger and Greenidge to see who has more muscle! Hmmm!