Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 24, 2012 News
By Zena Henry
Around 04:05h yesterday, workers from the Ministry of Housing and Water under police protection raided Parliament Square, tearing down placards, banners, posters, the Guyana Flag and other personal property belonging to members of the People’s Parliament.
A spokesman of the activist group, Troy Kellman, told media operatives that Ministry of Housing workers attributed their early morning raid to alleged claims by contracted workers who expressed fear of working in the “unfriendly environment” posed by the People’s Parliament.
Kellman said they made it clear to the Ministry workers that they had been granted permission by City Mayor, Hamilton Green, to have placards, posters and other paraphernalia on the pavements.
He said the members also sought to highlight that they were exercising their constitutional right of freedom of expression and freedom to assemble as confirmed by Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang, which includes the pickets, banners and other items used.
The workers, Kellman said, ignored the documents presented and said that they were merely “carrying out orders from above.”
Kellman refuted reports that the People’s Parliament was posing any danger or threats to construction workers or anyone using the park.
The activist said that workers tore down the items expressing the needs of the people. Even the flag of Guyana, he said, was taken away and dumped across the road, opposite the Parliament Square. Immediately after, Kellman said, the workers erected signs stating, “Property of the Government of Guyana. No trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted.”
The other sign read, “Construction Site. Works in Progress. No unauthorized persons allowed.” The police and the workers later went away, Kellman said, and members of the group started to gather their belongings, and returned them to their original spots.
The members of the People’s Parliament said they are astounded by the high-handed manner of the Housing Ministry which is reminiscent of the excesses of the worst form of dictatorship. The members said they rejected the Ministry’s violation of persons’ constitutional rights and called the Ministry’s action an assault on democracy.
Apart from that, it was highlighted by the members the unfair treatment meted out to a security guard posted at the park. The members claimed that one security guard has been denied his salary, since he is being blamed for the destruction of signs that were originally erected by the Housing Ministry.
Tyron Talbot, another member of People’s Parliament, said that, “the Government used its long arm to pressure Monty Johnson’s employer, stating that he is responsible for the destruction of the signs that were placed there.” Talbot said that it was Ministry workers who came and removed the original signs. The Parliament members stated that Johnson’s workplace confiscated his salary to pay for signs they said he destroyed.
The People’s Parliament has so far put up a small collection for Johnson to take home to his family. Talbot argued that it is situations such as Johnson’s, where the small man has no voice, that have sparked the need for the People’s Parliament.
Sharon Harding, another member of People’s Parliament, said she had witnessed the Ministry workers removing the signs from the park. The woman noted that the People’s Parliament has been watching out day and night for the people of Guyana, while the Parliamentarians found it fitting enough to go on vacation.
“Even to when it convened yesterday (Monday), I can imagine these people spending $1.4M of tax payers’ dollars on their meals and yet our issues were not addressed, because all they were doing was jumping around and “monkeying” themselves and cursing each other,” the woman lashed out.
She argued that the people’s issues have not been addressed. Harding said the People’s Parliament has been around since the beginning of Parliament’s ten-week recess and has been listening to the plight of the people. Like Talbot, Harding said that the People’s Parliament will not be moved and they are, “ready to rumble.”
They said that they would like to acknowledge the Speaker of the National Assembly in receiving from the People’s Parliament, a petition signed by more than 6000 citizens, to take action on eight demands of the people. These include police reform and local government elections.
The group has been camping out across the Parliament Buildings since August.
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