The Guyana Democracy Project based in New York expresses condolence to the family of the child who autopsy report said drowned, and the organization also condemn the violence and hate unleashed on people on account of race carried out by protesters in the name of the deceased child over the last several days. The girl’s lifeless body was found in the pool at a hotel in Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo.
Guyanese in USA praised President Irfaan Ali for his leadership in responding to the requests and demands of the family of the child for an independent autopsy and investigation of what happened. The President displayed empathy and comforted the grieving family in a manner of a fatherly figure. He agreed to all their demands to investigate how and why the child died. Now that the demands of the family have been met, there should not be any hindrance to an independent investigation, certainly not violence (by opportunists) that put the nation at a standstill.
Guyanese in USA that this writer conversed with strongly condemn the violent protests in various parts of the country relating to the death of the child. Reports said that protesters attacked the hotel and destroyed the home of its owners, blaming them for the death of the child and accusing of some sinister act. As it turned out, the girl died by drowning, according to three different independent pathologists who performed the post-mortem as requested by the family of the deceased child. Protesters should allow the law to take its course.
Innocent people who simply went about their business and with no connection with the hotel (and its owners) were attacked over several days. Several businesses and public buildings were destroyed, and people injured. Acid was thrown at students going to school. There was looting of businesses and robbing of people based on race. There is no justification for the violence. The father of the child has reportedly condemned the violence in the name of his daughter.
The Guyana Democracy Project notes that violence cannot solve any problem and most certainly will not bring back the child. The public needs to know what really happened — how did this tragedy occur and what can the authorities learn from it to prevent a repeat.
Attacking people on the roads and destroying private and public property will not lead to any resolution on the girl’s death. For too long, opportunistic protesters turned to violence attacking individuals based on their race or perceived (suspected) political affiliation. This must be condemned. No one should be attacked, and most certainly not on account of race or faith. Violence is a serious threat to peace and security. And violence inevitably begets violence.
The attacks on people and destruction of property are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation and emotion. The attacks are senseless. Such acts must be condemned by all (politicians, civic society religious leaders). The Guyana Democracy Project calls on the authority to identify the attackers and go after them. The perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors of attacks and looters and other criminal elements must be held accountable and brought to justice.
Guyanese in New York express support and solidarity with the victims of violence including those who feel threatened. Their thoughts and prayers are with the family of the child and those attacked. And they urge the President to pursue an independent forensic investigation of the drowning.