APNU needs unity, activism, legal representation
Written by Demerara Waves
Sunday, 25 September 2011 21:55
Source
Mr. Maurice Wilson
Opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has launched its North American campaign with a call for unity and renewed activism by its members backed by a strong team of lawyers on standby.
Addressing Sunday’s launch in New York, Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) Central Executive member Morris Wilson stated that they must not take winning the 2011 election for granted since it is their actions at home and abroad that can determine whether they win or not.
“A.P.N.U and its component parts, regardless of their structural and ideological differences, must be totally focused around gaining victory at the next General Elections. A.P.N.U must rescue current and future Guyanese Citizens from the wrath and corrupt practices of the present regime. What ever differences we have must take second place as we focus on removing the PPP. They are the enemy,” Wilson declared.
He added that the PNCR and the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) are setting the right example by putting aside their past differences to work together and that he hoped that people are intelligent enough to understand what is at stake and work together for victory.
The PNCR itself in recent years has seen some cleavages with first the Vincent Alexander faction challenging for the party leadership at the 2007 biennial congress and subsequently being disciplined by the party.
Cracks had also emerged in relations between party leader, Robert Corbin on the one hand and late Winston Murray and Richard Vanwest Charles who had been together calling for a one-man-one vote system.
Wilson also called for more activism on the part of APNU members stating that it could not be content with verbal complaints or letters to the media about the atrocities that are being committed by the PPP/C on an ongoing basis.
“We have recently seen the PPP/C take their presumptuous actions to another level with, for example, the harassment of Lurlene Nestor for wearing a Granger Jersey at Cuffy Square; the arrest and imprisonment of a youngster who it was alleged showed Jagdeo a part of his hand; and the PPP/C have just arrested a group of persons who were painting protest-signs along highways,” he stated.
“APNU has to have in readiness, a corps of advocates who are willing to take to the streets in order to agitate for arrested and abused comrades; along with a battery of attorneys who are ready and willing to lend legal representation to victims who are being arrested and imprisoned for exercising their democratic and inherited human-rights."
Three opposition activists were arrested for painting anti-Jagdeo signs on the road the same day that the president was being honoured and spent the night in the lock ups, triggering concerns that they had been abandoned to their fate. During that time they had been visited by one opposition-affiliated lawyer.
They were subsequently bailed the following day after activist Mark Benschop and columnist Freddie Kissoon secured an attorney to represent them.
Morris also urged the overseas-based Guyanese to do their part to help the election effort by throwing in to fund campaign activities at home and to encourage people to get out and vote.
“For example we could help to establish and manage telephone banks both within and outside of Guyana. We can also call our relatives at home and remind them of the importance of going out to vote on Election Day,” Wilson said.
Written by Demerara Waves
Sunday, 25 September 2011 21:55
Source
Mr. Maurice Wilson
Opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has launched its North American campaign with a call for unity and renewed activism by its members backed by a strong team of lawyers on standby.Addressing Sunday’s launch in New York, Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) Central Executive member Morris Wilson stated that they must not take winning the 2011 election for granted since it is their actions at home and abroad that can determine whether they win or not.
“A.P.N.U and its component parts, regardless of their structural and ideological differences, must be totally focused around gaining victory at the next General Elections. A.P.N.U must rescue current and future Guyanese Citizens from the wrath and corrupt practices of the present regime. What ever differences we have must take second place as we focus on removing the PPP. They are the enemy,” Wilson declared.
He added that the PNCR and the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) are setting the right example by putting aside their past differences to work together and that he hoped that people are intelligent enough to understand what is at stake and work together for victory.
The PNCR itself in recent years has seen some cleavages with first the Vincent Alexander faction challenging for the party leadership at the 2007 biennial congress and subsequently being disciplined by the party.
Cracks had also emerged in relations between party leader, Robert Corbin on the one hand and late Winston Murray and Richard Vanwest Charles who had been together calling for a one-man-one vote system.
Wilson also called for more activism on the part of APNU members stating that it could not be content with verbal complaints or letters to the media about the atrocities that are being committed by the PPP/C on an ongoing basis.
“We have recently seen the PPP/C take their presumptuous actions to another level with, for example, the harassment of Lurlene Nestor for wearing a Granger Jersey at Cuffy Square; the arrest and imprisonment of a youngster who it was alleged showed Jagdeo a part of his hand; and the PPP/C have just arrested a group of persons who were painting protest-signs along highways,” he stated.
“APNU has to have in readiness, a corps of advocates who are willing to take to the streets in order to agitate for arrested and abused comrades; along with a battery of attorneys who are ready and willing to lend legal representation to victims who are being arrested and imprisoned for exercising their democratic and inherited human-rights."
Three opposition activists were arrested for painting anti-Jagdeo signs on the road the same day that the president was being honoured and spent the night in the lock ups, triggering concerns that they had been abandoned to their fate. During that time they had been visited by one opposition-affiliated lawyer.
They were subsequently bailed the following day after activist Mark Benschop and columnist Freddie Kissoon secured an attorney to represent them.
Morris also urged the overseas-based Guyanese to do their part to help the election effort by throwing in to fund campaign activities at home and to encourage people to get out and vote.
“For example we could help to establish and manage telephone banks both within and outside of Guyana. We can also call our relatives at home and remind them of the importance of going out to vote on Election Day,” Wilson said.