—President Ali, PM Phillips emphasises; condemn targeted attacks on Afro-Guyanese PPP/C supporters

WHILE condemning the desperate attacks on People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Afro-Guyanese supporters, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali declared that hate and discrimination has no place in Guyana.
Speaking at a public meeting in Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), both the President and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, blasted the opposition for stoking the flames of racism.

Dr. Ali noted that the PPP/C has always endured all kinds of “propaganda and slander.”
As he spoke on how Afro-Guyanese PPP/C supporters are being targeted with slander simply because they chose progress over division, President Ali asked: “Why must they be treated this way because they embrace the philosophy of One Guyana, and a philosophy and a party that they believe can take this country forward.”
The Head of State called for the nation to reject these elements, firmly stating: “Race and hate and segregation have no place in a modern society, and have no place in our Guyana today and tomorrow.”

The Prime Minister while framing the attacks on Afro-Guyanese as a means of spreading hate and division said: “Once you decide that you gonna vote for the PPP/C because you want development to continue Guyana, they try to call you all kind of names, but I’m accustomed to be called all kind of names. And I want every African Guyanese who decide to vote for the PPP/C to know that you made the right decision. You vote for development, you vote on issue, and you refuse to vote race, and that is what will develop Guyana.”
The Prime Minister emphasised that the PPP/C’s platform is centered on shared prosperity.

He cited the opposition’s recent attempt to galvanise support, by intensifying what critics have described as the weaponisation of race-baiting, while fanning the flames of insecurities as a political strategy.

During an APNU public meeting in Plaisance on Sunday, Dr. Henry Jeffrey said that race-voting is acceptable.
He said: “The PPP is solidifying their own Indian base while they are telling your base “oh, voting race is bad.” There is nothing bad about it. Racism is bad and it’s two different things. I can vote for Obama without being a racist.”

For a long time, the opposition has been accused of rallying Afro-Guyanese voters by framing PPP/C development initiatives as irrelevant to their communities, while subtly casting electoral support for the ruling party as self-sabotage.

Earlier this month, APNU made disparaging remarks at not only former members and supporters, but also at those Afro-Guyanese who have not sworn blind loyalty to the APNU.
At a public meeting in Bareroot, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday night, APNU newcomer Eden Corbin and Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA) Co-Leader David Hinds led a scathing verbal assault against a number of former party executives, including attorney James Bond, former Region 10 Chairman Jermaine Figueira and former Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir, all of whom have since broken ranks with the APNU.

Corbin branded these former members, calling them “stupid,” “clowns,” and “cochores” – the latter being a derogatory Guyanese slang implying betrayal or ‘sell-out’ behaviour.
Taking the stage after Corbin, Hinds applauded Corbin’s remarks and furthered the attacks with racialised messaging, reinforcing the narrative that Afro-Guyanese citizens should demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the APNU, which has historically had a majority Afro-Guyanese base.

“When I listen to the young man just now, I want to retire. I’m gonna kick back because I know the future is in good hands,” Hinds remarked.
In his speech, he reiterated a divisive collectivist message, arguing that individual dissent within the Afro-Guyanese community undermines their historical struggle.

DISPARAGING REMARKS
Hinds is no stranger to making disparaging remarks against Afro-Guyanese, who exercise their democratic rights and do not swear blind loyalty to the APNU.
Earlier this year, Dr. Hinds, known for his provocative commentary on race and politics, drew ire for using derogatory terms to insult African Guyanese who support the PPP/C.
During a recent edition of his show, ‘Politics 101,’ Hinds opened the programme by insulting the dignity of Afro-Guyanese. He hurled a series of grotesque insults such as referring to them as “lick bottoms” and “house slaves.”

He said: “And some of you lick a**, lick beet** Black people are running around the place [saying] ‘I am campaigning for the return of President Ali.’ Lick backside; that’s what y’all are. All of y’all.”

He then criticised Afro-Guyanese for not supporting the opposition’s black leaders, showing a clear indication that he believes persons should not vote on policies.
“Y’all prefer to lick somebody else’s a** and find everything that is wrong about black leaders.”

Such racially charged remarks are not strange from the WPA as in 2023, one of its executive members, Tacuma Ogunseye, was released on $100,000 bail for attempting to incite racial hostility in Guyana.