The Association of Concerned Guyanese USA (ACGUSA) was chartered in 1982 as a support group for Dr. Cheddi Jagan PPP.
Today the ACGUSA has no affiliation with the PPP under the leadership of president Ramotar.
The ACGUSA experienced its first major split in December of 1989 led by Raj Singh. The two factions existed, with the group headed by Karshan Arjun enjoyed popular support within the Guyanese community; it was the main support group politically and financially until the 1992 election.
While the ACGUSA enjoyed a large membership and support base especially from its sports group The Royale Sports Club, the work and programs were carried out by a very few; the splinter faction did very little with some members nothing but constantly complaining to freedom house.
After the 1992 election an attempt was made by the then President Karshan Arjun to unify the ACGUSA and with the intension to shift our focus from “struggling for democracy, free and fair elections”, but to focus on “national development”.
No agreements were materialized, later when Ramotar became general secretary of the PPP, Raj Singh faction became the only recognized ACG group.
Before the death of Dr. Jagan, Donald Ramotar was advised to recognize all the PPP support groups in the US, but Ramotar selectively continue to preference Raj Singh ACGNY.
The ACGUSA group and members of Karshan Arjun faction continue to function. Today most of us support Guyana through other civic and community base organization. Credit goes to many of those who are working and functioning in peace organization, labor movement and even the Democratic Party (supporting some of the most progressive candidates) and some even worked on President Obama campaign.
For many of us who have dedicate our lives to progressive struggle in the US feels that we did not abandon Guyana.
But we ask ourselves a long time ago why pledge allegiance to a political party (PPP) when the leadership of that organization does not recognize our existence or work for the past two decades?
While our group might have some PPP sympathizers most support the ideals of Dr. Cheddi Jagan national liberation struggle, we support all progressive organizations that want to move Guyana forward in racial, economic and political unity.
For many of us who have dedicate our lives to progressive struggle in the US feels that we should continue the struggle for a democratic Guyana. We felt that the PPP under the leadership of Jagdeo and Ramotar continues to abandon Guyanese at home and in the Diasporas.
Only the ACGNY group, that was handpicked by Ramotar, pledge allegiance to the PPP today. Donald shared a personal family relationship with Raj Singh. Post election ACGNY was no struggle. It became a poster group for the PPP and practically lost its ways. It is a PPP celebrity organization where you pose for pictures and sip drinks with visiting celebrity ministers.
What is the role of the ACGNY in the Guyanese community to enhance and better the lives of the Guyanese citizens to improve their social and economic status? None!
They represent the elite vanguard of the PPP back home. Their work is obvious; they collaborate with the corrupt Guyanese that rips of the defenseless immigrants/locals. How many poor and defenseless Guyanese their friends like Ed Ahmad and others in the circle you know that they took down.
And if you ask them, these are the same people who claim to “championed” Jagans legacy of working on the side of the poor, meek, and downtrodden.
These are the kinds of PPP two face politicians that we have today where they claim to champion the rights of the working people in Guyana and are in bed with the moneyed Guyanese in New York and Guyana.
Then they can't understand why their status has diminished in support in recent times.
Perhaps the same sentiment shared in Guyana when the PPP abandoned most of the PPP and PYO groups. Donald Ramotar and his bands felt there are in power and became friends with the rich and influential and there was no need to deal with “little people”. The very little people that were subservient to the PPP leadership in the 70’s and 80’s from New York to California.
Then it was not the rich and influential Guyanese businessmen, they were nowhere to be found, they are now what the PPP call the “soup lickers”. But the disgraceful behavior on his behalf clearly reflects how ungrateful the PPP have become to all the other overseas groups.
Today the PPP is no longer a party of Dr. Jagan, of integrity and national liberation. The PPP has quickly lost the remainder of the progressive element within the party and has become a little bit too late for some radical move to remove the corrupt and opportunist from its leadership.
The PPP have learned not to compromise with their own membership, don’t think they will with any other political parties. They haven’t learned anything from past elections.
The PPP was hopeful that the ACGUSA members would disappear - the sooner the better. Donald and Jagdeo have little empathy for anyone, for the hard work and sacrifice people gave to the PPP. The problem with the PPP, if you oppose them or chooses another political party then that disqualifies you from being a good person.
This is all very irresponsible with no practical importance, no value relating to the substance of important issues facing the nation and why people should vote for alternative political parties.
We need to shape the discussion on Guyana more intelligently. We need to understand the concept of national unity and respect the choices of the electorates in Guyana. We need to refrain from using languages that divide us as a people and work for unity and the betterment of our people.
