Veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis is appealing to citizens to mount a quiet, sustained campaign of “civil disobedience,” saying that the failure of the ruling party has led to a failing state.
In a recent press statement, Lewis, in light of what he dubbed a failing state and an immoral, lawless government, issued an open invitation to all Guyanese to “to stand up” for themselves to send a message that that the people will no longer accept “incompetence and criminal enterprise” masquerading as government. Lewis said “Our struggles must now take on an individual but focused role of civil disobedience that shows unity in effort.” He added that “We can be peaceful, but resistant and demanding, for it is a sacred duty. Every man, woman and child must be involved because all are affected.”
Lewis charged that has been demonstrated that the government is prepared to have relationships with known drug lords, death squads, and murderers, alluding to the recent links alleged between government officials and confessed drug trafficker Roger Khan.
Lewis noted that over the past weeks his group, which includes trade unionist Norris Witter and social activist Mark Benschop. has engaged in several mini-protests at various points of the city and vowed not to rest until each and every Guyanese can have their rights respected. “Our strategy is to send a message to the [Bharrat] Jagdeo regime, that he cannot fool all of the people all of the time; that an indomitable will to resist still rests in this nation and it will not die,” he declared.
He stated that the group aims to sensitise those who need sensitising and stir the will of the people to recognise that they have a responsibility to resist their submersion by “evil and dictatorial” government practices.
Lewis said further that the group wants every Guyanese to recognise that the power rests with them and not with any group, political party or leader; that they have a right to hold this government accountable for its failures and transgressions. “[President Jagdeo]… was hired by we the people to do a job that will bring about the growth and prosperity of this nation… [and] this government has a responsibility to all and must be held accountable by all,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Lewis lamented those who have turned a blind eye, saying that between the PPP/C’s election into office and now, the “will to resist, to unify against oppressive forces, to recognise the enemy of the African man is also the enemy of the Indian, the Amerindian and all others in Guyana” has changed. He said systems are being eroded, people insulted and humbled in foreign lands, reduced to menial jobs and second-class status as they flee to the Caribbean, North America, Europe and even Botswana. Further, the veteran trade unionist observed that it was not only Africans who are fleeing but “Indians too and by any means necessary.”
However, he questioned, “Why must we flee, when together we can take back our country?
When we can demonstrate acts of civil disobedience to bring this government in check? Where is the will of a people whose history is punctuated by struggle for freedoms, equality and justice? What have we allowed the PPP to do to us?”
