ON Thursday, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton repeated what seems to be his mantra that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration was allegedly racist, discriminatory and denying half of Guyana’s population real development.

Apart from his usual murky and puerile politics, Norton sought to drag the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into the fray of public criticism, stating that the wanted bulletins that were issued earlier in the week, for several persons who were part of the violent protest, were politically motivated.

Norton used the sordid affairs surrounding the death of Quindon Bacchus again, to covertly appeal to his supporters’ race, telling them that the Police “charge people with terrorism is clearly an abuse of power”.

He said that the “people” are “innocent” and this is why “we’ll support them”. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition is on record, stating “it is clearly another attempt to harass people, it is a clear case of trumped-up charges.”

Norton vowed to “do everything to deal with it”.

Firstly, these are serious and dangerous statements that should not be taken lightly by law enforcement bodies, and those manning the system of justice in Guyana and elsewhere.

The GPF should be up in arms over those statements which seek to bring every single officer conducting the investigations into disrepute during the lawful execution of their duties.

It matters not if the men were yellow, brown, white, green, or black, the Police have reasons to believe they were involved in a crime either directly or indirectly and acted in accordance with the Police Act by the issuance of the wanted bulletins.

Surely, Norton should be prepared to take full responsibility if anything happens to any of the Police Officers who are conducting those specific investigations.

The Police Commissioner and other senior officers should take note of what Norton said as it is being interpreted by the public as a veiled and indirect threat.

Secondly, Norton exposed himself because he appears not to be concerned about crimes committed, losses suffered, and the livelihoods interrupted by the unprovoked episodes.

Norton cannot bother himself with the facts and case in point because perhaps all he can see is the race of the men in question, and the geographic location, all from the PNC/APNU strongholds, presumably.

How did a presumably intelligent man, who has his eyes locked on the presidency of Guyana, make the kind of deductions or inductions that Norton made about the innocence of the men and that charges are trumped-up?

The public only hopes that they are innocent and that the Police will conduct themselves professionally in the course of the investigations.

Was Norton just saying this to people to make his presentation emotive or was he deliberate in his will to spread misinformation and lies, particularly aimed at weakening the Police Force in the public’s eyes?

Thirdly, Norton should tread cautiously, because the party he represents and APNU+AFC are known for their role as the sympathizers of criminals who wreak havoc on innocent Guyanese.

Moreso, the ‘Blackie’ and ‘Fineman’ episode has not escaped the public’s mind and their deliberate links to the criminal enterprise in Buxton, Agricola, Sophia and Albouystown during the crime spree of the 2000s.

The PNC/R and the APNU can ill-afford to have a leader who talks about crime and security matters so loosely as if he perhaps does not have sense.

What was the motive behind the statements coming from the Opposition Leader?

Will the PNCR/APNU really be footing the expenses of these individuals who are wanted for questioning by the Police?

What support will the APNU have to offer them?

These answers must be given at once because the public wants to know if the PNC/APNU is in bed with the would-be criminals, and is anti-police.

Former President David Granger may be turning in his bed right now to see and hear Norton’s irresponsible and damning political statements made just before Guyana goes into the polls again, this time for the local government elections.

Also, Joseph Harmon, Winston Felix and Gary Best must be appalled and shocked at what is seen as Norton’s public endearment or endorsement of criminals and suspects. If the blank cheque scenario was not enough, and the diatribe against Norton was not enough, then this surely is enough to cause pause politically.

Finally, Norton hopefully knows what he is doing to some of the Afro-Guyanese supporters because they left the North Ruimveldt rally fuelled up with lies, misinformation and hate from the stories he told them.

He did not arm some of them with the truth or narrative to make them sound intelligent or ask for answers from the PPP/C Government. He continued to use his academic and practical knowledge to twist the story, telling a different narrative and a different story.

He did not empower his supporters about their rights and the electoral fight ahead. Seemingly, Norton wants to keep some of the Afro-Guyanese population in darkness, perpetual ignorance and dumbfounded so he can use them each time they vote.

Enlightenment, truth and facts are the only way to break the chains of discrimination, racism and political inferiority, not clandestinely supporting the criminals by appealing to race so as to cause mayhem, confusion and distrust. Crime and criminality must not be politicised, at least not in this way!