As the horror of Wednesday's invasion of the presidential complex and the fatal shooting of two of the invaders sink in, it is increasingly evident that all of society - the decent, law-abiding, fair-minded in particular - has to gird its collective conscience to help thwart the mayhem that laps ever so closer.
It is no longer possible for citizens to watch disinterestedly at what is unfolding. Each citizen has to speak out against the daily outrages no matter who they are committed by.
In no other democratic state will the invasion and defilement of the President's Office be treated lightly. The deaths of protesters and injuries to others as a result of Wednesday's invasion is unfortunate and regrettable. What were the protesters doing? Who had inspired them to mount this mission of madness? That so many "protesters" were detained within the compound points to dangerous and sinister motivations. What if the President was in office at the time and the protesters were heavily armed? The consequences of such a confrontation is too shocking even to contemplate. Obviously security at the presidential complex will have to be boosted and not only for periods of tension. Those who orchestrated, incited and committed the acts must be punished by the full weight of the law.
And what of the PNC/R? As we said in yesterday's editorial it must take responsibility for what transpired by virtue of its participation in the illegal march. Judging by its reaction yesterday, the party is in denial. Party Chairman Robert Corbin told a press conference that the PNC/R was not responsible for the actions of the protesters as the march was organised by the People's Solidarity Movement (PSM). He would only say that the PNC/R and the PSM shared similar concerns. It is an explanation that holds no water. The PSM is an amorphous grouping that grew out of the protest by bauxite workers who erected the now dismantled tent outside the Prime Minister's residence. It shared a platform with PNC/R leader Desmond Hoyte and its Chairman Robert Corbin during which the organiser of Wednesday's march, Phillip Bynoe stridently and openly called for the removal of the government. This call was later endorsed by Mr Hoyte. So when the PNC/R shares the stage with the PSM it also shares responsibility for its reckless actions.
And make no mistake about it. The real power in the East Coast villages is not the PSM. The real power resides in the PNC/R. Its constituency is well mobilised in traditional strongholds like Buxton, Nabaclis and Bachelor's Adventure. So while Mr Bynoe might be canvassing directly, he is doing it with the full knowledge and co-operation of the PNC/R. Would the PNC/R stand by idly and allow Hammie Green and Odinga Lumumba to mobilise support in these villages for a cause the party did not support and fully subscribe to? No. The experiences of Messrs Lumumba, Jeffrey et al while campaigning in South Georgetown for the 2001 elections is ample testimony to this.
So there is no escape for the PNC/R from culpability. It is the continuation of a long line of violence-laden demonstrations and provocations that are leading nowhere but insanity and have now resulted in the deaths of two persons.
As to the motivation behind the march on Wednesday, Mr Corbin had this to say while condemning the destruction that took place and commiserating over deaths and injuries: "We, however, understand the bitterness, the frustrations and the anger of the people who have lost all hope for a better future. The dilemma for Guyana is that there can be no order without justice and no justice without order. However, as far as we are concerned, there are no limits to peaceful protest". That is the type of unfounded rhetoric that is resulting in the mayhem ignited on Wednesday. The justice that Mr Corbin says the protesters are seeking and the frustrations and anger that they are feeling are as much the responsibility of his party as it is of the PPP/C. The ruling party has been at the wheel for 10 years, his was at it for much longer. The injustice, the anger and frustrations have simmered and fermented for the entire period. It is only easier and neater now for it to be expressed with the violence and vociferousness that is being displayed by the villagers.
The real challenge for the PNC/R - and it doesn't require violent and disruptive protests - is to work out the system of governance and democracy it wants for the future. If its constituency feels alienated, angry and deprived it is probably because it believes that its party has no means of returning to office through the current democratic framework. That conundrum requires a much deeper and forthright discussion with the governing party and civil society on the future of the country. That discussion cannot be synthesised through inflammatory broadcasts, seditious speeches, violent demonstrations and half-truths. The PNC/R has to come around to this reality and behave responsibly.