Two of the youths who participated in a protest outside the Office of the President on Friday have shot down criticisms that the group was politically motivated, serving the interests of opposition leaders and exploiting the tragedy for their own reasons.
“I would tell critics that if they don’t have anything good to say or if they don’t have any advocacy in them or basic humanity, then they should shut up,” 23-year-old Alliyah Simon told Kiskadee Watch in an invited comment yesterday.
Simon said she heard about the protest through social media, particularly on the Facebook page of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and stressed that no political figures contacted her to participate. “I needed to go to ensure that I play a part in raising awareness to what has been happening to Indigenous people especially. I realised that Indigenous peoples are really treated as second to nothing in this country,” she observed.
Her decision to participate, she said, stemmed from her personal values and she wanted to use her voice to go out and stand up for her people. “People are so selfish. This is not about going against the government; this is basic humanity. If you’re silent about it, you’re just selfish and you don’t care about what happens to others,” she expressed.
While University of Guyana (UG) students contacted by this publication declined to comment on their participation, 23-year-old Jose Roberts of Bartica shared his perspective on the protest. While he said he is not attached to any organisation in particular, he explained that he went out to represent youths.
“I am a content creator, and I use the government’s transportation system. It could have been me or my relatives. These people are literally crying out there asking for things to be done and nothing or little to nothing is being done,” he said about his reason for participating.
“Our Amerindian people are the first people and we always say we take pride in whatever they have to contribute, but when they cry out and have concerns, most times they go unheard,” Roberts noted, adding that he wanted to use his platform to help amplify their voices.
He said he joined the protest after hearing about it from his UG friends with a placard that read: “It could have been me. They say we are the first but we come last.”
Roberts said he was especially dissatisfied with the manner in which Public Works Minister Juan Edghill handled the situation and shared misinformation about the boat. “Up to now he has not come forward to apologise for the misinformation. Just take accountability,” he urged. “I know it’s a political situation, but I went out there to represent the youths. I didn’t have any intention to be a part of any opposition protest.”
Meanwhile, dozens of UG students participated in the protest, calling for the removal of Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar over the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima, which claimed the lives of 73 people and left dozens missing.
The demonstration, held under the banner “We the People,” drew predominantly Generation Z participants, who stood in silent protest carrying placards calling for accountability over the tragedy. Around 300 persons participated.
Organisers maintained that the movement was independent and non-partisan, despite the attendance of supporters and representatives from opposition parties, including the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), as well as members of civil society.
The protesters called on the government to accept responsibility for the MV Barima tragedy and demanded the resignation of Edghill, arguing that his ministry bore responsibility for oversight of the country’s river transport system.
Throughout the protest, participants observed moments of silence in memory of the 73 victims while calling for reforms to strengthen safety standards in Guyana’s river transport sector and prevent similar tragedies.
Organisers have since announced plans to stage another demonstration outside the Office of the President on August 7.
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