GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- (AP) -- In an attempt to ease racial tension in this former British colony, thousands of Guyanese lined the streets joining hands with neighbors in a peaceful act calling for racial unity.
Although no racial riots between the rival East Indian and Afro communities have broken out in nearly 30 years, citizens have been wary of increased tensions, especially after the 1992 election victory by the Indian-dominated People Progressive Party.
Race riots between the two groups in the 1960s, which resulted in more than 150 dead and led to massive migration to Britain, left a scar that has not easily healed. Racial disputes at sports venues or bars are still fairly common.
Upon his election in 1992, President Cheddi Jagan appointed a committee to study racial problems. Thousands joined hands in downtown Georgetown Sunday -- which coincided with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Guyana's independence -- to mark the start of a ``new era in a tension-less country.''
``The mood I am in today, I will joining hands with anybody,'' Shiela Singh, a downtown sales clerk. ``I hope this spirit is not only for today.''
Organizers of the ``Hands Uniting Guyana'' event, which included the local chapters of the Lions Club and Rotary Club, had no figures on how many Guyanese participated, but reported that similar acts took place throughout this nation of 730,000 on South America's north coast.
Resident diplomats and several visiting dignitaries also participated.