LAST Friday, City Hall saw hundreds of demonstrators, for and against, the parking meters. Casual observers may be inclined to see this as another protest, expressing views to influence a particular decision, one way or the other.But this protest represented and brought to the fore many experiences that should be noted, deliberated on and hopefully influence policies and programmes in the right direction.
Those against the parking meters presented various reasons. Among the crowd were those who observers would be quick to note, and not without merit, when the PPP/C was in government they were silent or tepid to its wrongs or benefitted through direct relations. Others note that some of these same persons are present beneficiaries of the APNU+AFC government and deemed them the so-called fortunate or opportunists to benefit at the political level, regardless of who holds office.
Then there was the deputy mayor, who rejected the project from the inception and though some of his reasons are not without merit, in that the City Council voted in favour of and was in the counter-protesting group and he on the other side, sparked distinct conversation. The raw exchanges — placards and vocal — between the sides were spirited, though understandably it is not unusual or unfair to expect government representatives, irrespective of tiers or branches, acting in a manner consistent with the role government ought to play in citizens’ lives.
Something is happening in the society which became clearer in Friday’s protest. Outside of recognition that it creates opportunity for the enterprising to acquire land within the city to construct car parks and provide similar service at competitive rates, the politics could not be missed. The opposition PPP/C is playing a role in the parking meter protest. It is an organisation that represents constituents whose right to freedom of expression, including dissent, is constitutionally protected. When in government, the PPP/C was not so accepting of this right being enjoyed by others. Notably, the Leader of the Opposition as President governed with an iron fist, where few dare to cross him or speak out against any of this action, programme or policy, out of fear for the ill-fated consequences it brought.
Even as the PPP/C seized the opportunity to make its political point, and observers are concerned the APNU+AFC is creating the atmosphere for the PPP/C’s return to office, it need not be ignored the opportunity presented now to fearlessly dissent is not lost to many. At the same time, whereas government is respectful of this right, which correspondingly signals to the police non-permission to batter and brutalise protestors as would have been the norm, it cannot ignore rising dissent.
When dissent and alternative views are ignored by the incumbent, these always work against them. The goodwill that gave rise to the APNU+AFC’s victory was an investment by the people in the nation’s welfare and development. Such a leap of faith should not be seen as one-off thinking, but a privileged opportunity to provide needed leadership that would create the space the people require to grow and develop. To see protests as something to be ignored — even though the opposition may be using such events as redemptive opportunity and to re-enter office — would not help the society or its people. Our society has created a subculture where politics is seen as an opportunity to look after self and not serve the people. Self-serving practices when in public service are debilitating to the society, given that they will make people lose interest in the political process, which would undermine the authority and reasons why governments exist. People are more enlightened today. This enlightenment would obviously come with greater demands and expectations of their governments. Government should not see enlightenment as hindrance — particularly in our representative system of democracy — but opportunity to pay heed and re-evaluate perceptions — real or perceived — about them. The parking meter protest allows for this and it should be seized.