The New York based Guyana Democracy Project (NYGDP), an organization that promotes democracy and peace in Guyana, in a statement, says it strongly condemns the advocacy of violence and hate against ethnic groups and the democratically elected government in the South American nation. The organization issued a release in response to the recent remarks made by WPA spokespersons in Buxton advocating unnecessary violence against Indian people and the government as a means to bring about political change.
The organization says that individuals, organizations, and political parties that seek political change should do so peaceably and at the ballot box. “Appealing to kith and kin in the security forces to violently and illegally remove a legitimate elected government is not in keeping with democratic principles”, says the NYGDP in its release.
The organization reaffirms its ongoing commitment to the practice of democracy through holding of free and fair elections as a means to changing government. It pens: “Our organization remain steadfast in our commitment to cultivating a peaceful society that promotes equality, equity, inclusion, diversity, and respect for all regardless of ethnicity. We stand against acts or promotion of hate, violence, racism, and systemic injustice. We join others in the feelings of shock and dismay that a political party would promote violence against a democratically elected government and against Indians. We link arms in solidarity with those who condemn the advocacy of violence in our country”.
The NYGDP appeals to Guyanese and the international community to sanction those who preach hate and violence and undemocratic practices. It states: “We must stand together as a nation and alienate those who preach racial intolerance. Those who are silent just speak out. Otherwise , they would be seen as condoning or tacitly approving of the advocacy of racial violence”.
