Dear Editor,
Fr Malcolm Rodrigues has spoken truth to power. The wisdom and the bell-like clarity of his logic is a summons to be heard and acted upon with the utmost urgency.
The elected leaders of the Government and Joint Opposition need to do what he asks of them and what we all know is necessary.
These are the three main points from Fr Rodrigues that we respectfully think require collective consideration and / or commitment to appropriate action:
Acting with brute force is not the solution since others will rise up and the cycle of violence will continue, violence breeding more violence with more slaughters of innocent victims to come.
Opening up a space for dialogue with the armed fugitives in the Buxton backlands. If special negotiators are needed to assist, then let them come. Listening to the voice of young people who say that they are alienated, that they are marginalized; that no one in parliament speaks for them.
We call on you to please use your respective powers jointly to take these bold, wise steps that have not yet been taken. This is no time for your usual separate rhetoric, the separate TV Messages to the Nation on separate channels and in separate Press Releases. Make it a real breaking news item and act in decisive unison for the sake of the nation.
This nation needs you to lead us forward in visible acts of unity. Time to stop fiddling in your own corners while Guyana burns!
We call on an equal commitment from the members of Civil Society.
As a progression from the important work which citizens play in their social organisations, those who believe that bold, lawful action is needed should also speak up. We especially call on the business sector and the trade unions to put aside any polarised positions at this particular point in time, and move forward bringing on board their considerable spheres of influence and their own powerful actions as citizens – straight across the board and right across the divides – so as to likewise act in unity and with, resolve to address this long-standing national (and now explosive) crisis.
Time for all citizens and social sector leaders to create a unified front to confront and help resolve the root of these persistent problems.
Time for us to rightfully assume our constitutional responsibility as prescribed in Article 13 and (enshrined under both the old and new versions) and take the necessary, cohesive action required. Time for a Citizens’ Forum with constitutional powers.
Time for us all to build a secure Peace in Guyana with Justice, Truth, Understanding and Mercy – to repeat the clarion call made by the Guyana Peacebuilders Network.
Yours faithfully,
Vanda Radzik, Bert Carter, Vidyaratha Kissoon, Leila Jagdeo, Rolinda Kirton, Denise Dias (Alicea Foundation), Violet Wills, Wayne Wharton, Cecil Maxwell, Deborah Skeete, Anita Haynes (Guyana Book Foundation).
