–PNC Executive warns; condemns Rickford Burke-run organisation’s ‘unwarranted’ attack against President Ali, Guyanese-owned businesses in New York
–advocates for unity, camaraderie, and patriotism

CENTRAL Executive Member of the Peoples National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) and Vice-Chairman of the Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Samuel Sandy has condemned the “unwarranted” attacks by known detractors who are calling for boycotts against Guyanese-owned businesses in New York, which welcomed President Dr. Irfaan Ali during his recent visit.

The calls for boycotts originated from Rickford Burke of the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID) and activist Mark Benschop, both of whom are known critics of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Sandy, however, highlighted the importance of solidarity and constructive engagement within the Guyanese community, particularly in the context of welcoming elected leaders like President Dr. Ali.

He stressed that boycotting fellow Guyanese, especially in support of the elected president, was not only “unwarranted but counterproductive”.
“It is imperative to underscore the fundamental principle that calls for boycotting our own people, particularly in the context of showing solidarity with an elected president, are entirely unwarranted and counterproductive,” Sandy said
He urged the community to recognise President Ali’s position as the duly elected leader of Guyana, deserving of respect regardless of personal political affiliations.

“Foremost among our responsibilities is the recognition that Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali holds the position of duly elected President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, deserving of the respect inherently associated with his office.

“The warm reception extended to him by our brothers and sisters in the diaspora should be interpreted as a gesture of hospitality rather than an endorsement of his governance. It is incumbent upon us to separate the individual from the office they hold, welcoming leaders with the courtesy they deserve while maintaining a critical stance on their policies and actions,” Sandy said.
He highlighted the importance of separating personal opinions from respect due to the office of the president.

Sandy warned that resorting to measures such as boycotts “only serves to breed animosity and hinder progress towards a more unified and prosperous future”.
Addressing the disparity in treatment between President Ali and previous opposition leaders, Sandy pointed out that such double standards undermined efforts for unity and progress within the community.

“This underscores the need for our collective efforts to focus on uplifting our community morally and economically, rather than perpetuating divisions that only serve to exacerbate existing challenges.
“Our allegiance to our nation necessitates support for its elected representatives, albeit with the understanding that constructive engagement and accountability are essential components of a healthy democracy,” he said.

Sandy called upon the Guyanese community to “unite in embracing the values of unity, camaraderie, and patriotism.”
He pointed out that regardless of personal affiliations or political preferences, at the end of the day, it is incumbent upon Guyanese to extend love, protection, and respect to President Ali until such time as the democratic process determines otherwise.

“Let us channel our energies towards fostering a society where dialogue and cooperation prevail over division and discord,” he said.
Another senior member of the PNC-R, Jermaine Figueira recently added his voice and lashed out against the call for the boycott of Guyanese-owned businesses, deeming it as just “plain stupid.”

In a letter to the press, Figueira, who is also a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for the opposition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), said Dr Ali’s visit to Brooklyn underscores the importance of engaging with diaspora communities and recognising their contributions to national development.

“Boycotting Guyanese businesses, “we own” people in a foreign land is just plain stupid. How is that going to achieve anything good? We have hundreds of foreign-owned supermarkets popping up in every part of Guyana and no Guyanese is calling for a boycott of their businesses so why the self-hate and intended hurt on ourselves?” Figueira argued.

He posited that there should be advocacy for dialogue and constructive engagement to address all grievances.
In response to the calls for boycotts and the attempts to fuel divisions among Guyanese abroad, President Ali, in a statement which was streamed live on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, delivered a strong rebuke to Burke.

“This opportunity gives us a point of honest reflection, it gives you an opportunity to measure these leaders by their actions, to measure these leaders by their narrative, to measure these so-called leaders by what exactly is their selfish desire,” he added, while continuing to dismantle the contentious message that was being peddled by Burke.

President Ali also called upon US officials, including Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, to scrutinise organisations such as the CGID that engage in what he described as “divisive and separatist” actions.