OBSERVATIONS from the various protests and disquiet happening in the society can inform two lines of thinking. One is that it may give rise to concern or jubilation, depending on political outlook. On the other hand, it lends to thinking that such represent healthy signs in a democracy.Democracy is not without agitation, expressions, conflicts, challenges and achievements. That these characteristics are being manifested are representations of a democracy that is alive and well. However, in this same healthy environment, where these said characteristics are ignored or suppressed, such can lead to problems. What is happening presently in no way positions Guyana at the crossroads. Where these protests go from here depends largely on the leadership reading and understanding the pulse of the people. The public displays, though being manifested by some groups and individuals, are not new.
Whereas this government may be experiencing frequent protests given its demonstrated respect for freedom of expression and given the suppression of this right for years, citizens will take action to make their views known. At the same time, it cannot be ignored that suppressors of this right would seize any and every opportunity to advance their political agenda. And given the reality of these dynamics, are important in understanding human relations.
The protest against the parking meters, and the sugar workers’ protest in front of the Ministry of the Presidency, even as such reflect the right to self-expression, the reasons that have created the need to feel compelled to so express ought not to be ignored. Something is happening in the society and this requires not only feeling the pulse, but attending to the pulse.
However tempting it may be, determined efforts to ignore the people will only escalate situations and then they will reel out of control. It is not unreasonable to expect that when President David Granger, who is Head of Government and State, makes public his views on issues that such serve as policy positions of his Government. What is disconcerting, is when the administrators do not take heed. And here is where City Hall’s unrelenting determination to treat with the parking meters controversy remains in contrast to what the public was told had happened at the meeting with President Granger last Wednesday evening. Guyanese were advised that in discussion with the mayor, the President encouraged engagement via consultation with stakeholders on the way forward. The Alliance For Change felt it necessary to issue a statement on Wednesday, calling on the mayor to retract statements to the deputy mayor during the Council’s meeting on Monday, which adds another dynamic to the issue.
Consultations necessitate stakeholders meeting, sharing ideas, and seeking to arrive at consensus in an atmosphere of mutual respect. City Hall’s rolling out of piecemeal decisions before all are heard will only escalate an already contentious situation. In continuing this strategy, it is reasonable to ask whose benefit is being served, for it certainly cannot be to the benefit of the citizenry, and the President’s policy. There exists the unifying desire that government will function in the interest of all and corruption will cease. The issue here is not whether the people are right or wrong in their perceptions, but, having identified their angst, it helps democracy when actions are taken to address them. Where good sense prevails democracy, in all its glory and shortcomings, is healthy.