IN GUYANA, during February 1962, opposition political parties and the Trades Union Council (TUC) mounted street demonstrations against the Budget introduced by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan.These (demonstrations) culminated in riots, arson and looting on Friday, 16 February. At that time, Guyana (then known as British Guiana) was still a colony of Great Britain. Subsequently, on the request of the Government of Guyana, a Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the British Government to investigate the causes of the disturbances.

The February 1962 disturbances were part of a series of politically inspired activities which (were) continued in 1963 and 1964 (and were) aimed at destabilising the PPP Government, which was labelled as being “communist”. This was during the period of the Cold War, and US anti-communist trade unions and other organisations were overtly and covertly involved in providing financial and propaganda assistance to the TUC and the opposition political parties.

The United States Government itself was deeply involved in the effort to replace the PPP Government; and, at the highest level, it encouraged the British Government to change the electoral system, which eventually, in 1964, resulted in what it wanted.

The featured image captures the heart of Georgetown after a fire swept the shopping centre in February, 1962.