THE election season is long behind us. I sense that Guyanese are yearning for a sense of normalcy and many of them; ordinary citizens are looking forward to continue to provide for their families and to enjoy the peace and comfort of their homes and by extension of their community. But there is a new culture that is emerging – ‘The Protest Culture’ that is perpetrated mainly by a few rogue elements in our society.

When this ‘protest culture’ raises its ugly head in communities, development is slowed or brought to a standstill. Communities are filled with tension, and the peace within many homes is interrupted, causing law abiding citizens to live in fear within their own homes. I am fully aware that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right. However, like I said in one of my written pieces, “anything when abused can be dangerous”.
Mr. Editor, we have seen the destruction that this has inflicted on communities when a few people decided that they would create anarchy within them. Many times these protestors are encouraged, supported and sometimes financed by opposition politicians who use them for political mileage.
Time after time we hear and see leading members of the opposition making reckless statements on television and at political gatherings. Sometimes these reckless statements endanger the lives of others and give followers the impression that it is okay to destroy infrastructure once you cannot have your own way.
Even the leaders of the PNC have made some terrible lack in judgment, time and time again. One example that readily comes to mind is former President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who attended the funeral service of Linden ‘Blackie’ London, a dangerous criminal who died in a gun battle with law enforcement officers. I would leave it to your imagination, what type of message do you think this sends to our young people, law abiding and otherwise?

We continue to see persons of a certain ethnic background being targeted by protestors. I believe that the time has come for the current leadership of APNU to come out and condemn this type of behaviour.

There is nothing wrong with protests but it must be done in an organised way and for legitimate reasons.

Protest must be used as the last resort when all else fail, then is the only time that protests are warranted. But recently we have seen protestors holding communities and people at ransom for any and all the reasons and at the first opportunity they get.

We cannot continue like this let us make commitment to resist violence and to embrace love and respect for each other. Let us also have respect for our infrastructure and be proud of institutions. Let us silently protest the lack of love, respect and compassion in our communities.