Supporters of the incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition party in Guyana rally in
Brooklyn. Photo by Nelson A. King
Caribbean Life, January 24-30, 2020 3
By Nelson A. King
Caribbean legislators in Brooklyn
on Monday joined the nation in paying
tribute to slain civil rights leader
the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on
his holiday.
Assembly Members Rodneyse
Bichotte and Diana Richardson, and
City Councilman Dr. Mathieu Eugene
honored King’s legacy in their respective
tribute.
“For nearly 40 years, the third Monday
in January has marked a time to
celebrate, remember and honor one
of our nation’s most progressive and
visionary leaders – the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.,” said Bichotte,
the daughter of Haitian immigrants,
who represents the 42nd Assembly
District in Brooklyn. “This day, which
was established as a federal holiday in
1983, gives us the chance to step back
and reflect on the work and words
of Dr. King, who dedicated his life to
standing against injustice and providing
a unifying vision of America’s
future.
“Dr. King served as a leader of the
civil rights movement and worked tirelessly
to realize his dream of racial and
economic equality,” added Bichotte,
who, on Monday, was also elected chair
of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
“From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to
the march across the Edmund Pettus
Bridge, Dr. King showed that nonviolent
civil demonstrations could effect
meaningful and long-lasting change.
“Although he was met with resistance
and violence, including having
his home bombed, Dr. King never
wavered in his commitment to making
our country a better place for all,”
she continued. “His vision of progress
and equal opportunity for every man,
woman and child is one that we should
continuously work to realize.”
Richardson said the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday “celebrates the life
and legacy of a man who brought hope
and healing to America.
By Nelson A. King
Hundreds of supporters of the incumbent
APNU+AFC Coalition Government
of President David Granger in Guyana
rallied Thursday night in Brooklyn
for the re-election of the government
in the March 2 general elections in
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
member-state.
Waving flags and dancing to Trinidadian
soca artiste Farmer Nappy’s
“Hookin Meh” (Garbage Bag version),
which is fast becoming the APNU+AFC’s
campaign song, supporters jammed
the Guyanese-owned Grace Christian
Church in the Canarsie section of
Brooklyn.
The event, dubbed “An APNU+AFC
Diaspora Campaign Rally,” capitalized
on the presence of Prime Minister
Moses Nagamootoo and Foreign Affairs
Minister Dr. Karen Cummings, who, on
Wednesday addressed the formal handing
over ceremony of Guyana becoming
the 2020 chair of the United Nations’
Group of 77 and China.
Nagamootoo assured the ebullient
crowd, at the near-three-hour rally, that
the Coalition Government will be reelected
in the forthcoming polls.
“We have two months short of our
five years in government; we’ll renew it,”
he said to boisterous applause. “Tonight
is a very serious night. You have interest
in Guyana, and you know the reality
has changed in Guyana.
“You can see the changes; you can
see the landscape has changed,” the
prime minister added. “I served under
five presidents, and I have not seen the
changes as now.”
He said the incumbent government
has “reached out” to all Guyanese,
stating that the administration has
“restored integrity in public life.”
Among other things, Nagamootoo
said APNU+AFC Coalition, during the
last four-odd years, increased the minimum
wage by 77 percent.
“Where we have brought back Guyana,
we restored Parliamentary Democracy,”
he said. “The autonomy of Parliament
is guaranteed. We restored the
independence of the judiciary.
“Under my tenure, no journalist
has been prosecuted,” he added. “We
restored the freedom of the media and
expanded the media. We restored the
respect for the country in the international
forum.
“For us, country comes first; sovereignty
comes first,” Nagamootoo continued.
“You don’t mess around with
that.”
With the discovery of 17 oil fields in
Guyana, the prime minister said “on a
per capita basis, Guyana will be the single
richest country in the world.”
He said the APNU+AFC Coalition
has “a plan and a vision” for Guyana,
dubbed “20/40 Development,” in which,
among other things, trains and railroads
will be introduced, and the general
road, health and education infrastructure
expanded.
The prime minister also disclosed
that 18 airlines are already “lined up” to
“come to Guyana.”
“In five (campaign) events, you can
see the coalition energizing,” Nagamootoo
said. “So, we have to mobilize.
Those of you who register (to vote), go
back (to vote).
“We have restored viability to government,”
he said. “This is not a time for
division. No one can repay for reparations.
You have an opportunity now;
and, do not let it slip from you.
“Having entered my 59th year of
politics, I’m not about to leave,” Nagamootoo
continued. “I’m for the return
of Granger.”
He then asked the crowd to help him
sing his version of the negro spiritual,
“Never Get Weary Yet.” Supporters
enthusiastically obliged.
“Moses (Nagamootoo) never get
weary yet,” he sang. “David (Granger)
never get weary yet. We’re in the struggle,
and we never get weary yet.”
Cummings said “every sector is in
better shape” since the APNU+AFC took
office almost five years ago.
“That’s why Guyanese will re-elect
APNU+AFC,” she said. “APNU+AFC has
delivered more than the PPP (main
opposition People’s Progressive Party
during its 23 years in office).
“No government has done more
for the Guyanese people in such a
short space of time,” Cummings added.
“Encourage your relatives back in Guyana
not to stop the progress. Guyana is
on the rise. So, it’s important to support
the APNU+AFC.
“On Election Day, I want you to
encourage everyone to get up early, get
up early and vote,” she urged. “Vote
Mar. 2 for President Granger. Long live
the APNU +AFU Coalition!”
Errol Lewis, chair of the Brooklynbased
PNCR North American Region,
said: “2019 was a good year (for the
Coalition Government); 2020 must be
a better year.
Councilmember Mathieu Eugene.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Hundreds rally for re-election
of incumbent party in Guyana
Tribute to Dr.
Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Guyana’s Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
addresses rally.
Photo by Nelson A. King