'Unite Guyana', a newly-formed group concerned over the chilling crime wave, is now calling for a two-day shutdown of the country and chambers of commerce nation-wide are backing the call.
Since last Friday the group has been running whole page advertisements in the Stabroek News calling for the shutdown of the country on Wednesday, October 9 since it says that the government and the opposition have failed in dealing with the crime situation. The group has now upped the shutdown call from one to two days.
In the new whole-page advertisement yesterday, the group, which described itself as a non-partisan and non-political group, used slogans such as a `Time For Action! Time For Sacrifice! Make Your Voices Heard By Your Actions In Pursuit Of A United Guyana.'
In the ad the group called on all patriotic and concerned groups and citizens to join with it in staying home on October 9 and 10.
In the initial ad calling for a one-day shutdown business places which sponsored the advertisement included Edward B. Beharry & Co. Ltd, Secure International Finance Company, Beharry Stockbrokers Ltd, Margarita's Gift Shop, Beharry Automotive, International Pharmaceutical Agency Ltd, M. Phagoo & Sons, Accountancy Training Centre, R. Sookraj Cambio, Palm Court Restaurant & Bar, Safety Equipment, Nalini's Hairdressing Salon, J.W. Potter & Co. (Guy) Ltd, True Value Electronic & General Store, Kiskadee International; Couriers Inc, King's Jewellery World, Gaskin & Jackson Company Ltd and Spads Inc.
Yesterday, the group, which has the support of all the chambers of commerce in the country including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and other associations and organisations, said that two-day shutdown will make a stronger statement than the one-day event initially planned.
According to the source the initial ad was not placed by the group but by the chambers of commerce and private business citizens. `Unite Guyana' came together and supported the idea. It however felt that the shutdown should last two days. The source said that Wednesday is usually not a good day for business and as such the impact of a total shutdown will not be felt on that day. As a result the group decided to call for two days.
Stabroek News was told yesterday that the chambers of commerce are "very much" behind the idea and since the National Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce has endorsed the move all of its affiliates will also have to support it.
Since February 23, the country has been gripped by a horrific crime wave, sparked by the escape of five prisoners from the Camp Street jail. Many persons have been murdered including 10 policemen while dozens of businessplaces and houses have been robbed and their occupants beaten and terrorised. Over the period, there have been calls for the government and opposition - in the main the PNC/R - to come together and speak with one voice on the crime spree and to agree on a series of measures. This has not happened as yet.
Organisers say that if after the initial shutdown nothing is done by the government and the main opposition party to seriously deal with the crime situation, the following week more days will be designated for shutdowns.
It was made clear that the shutdown will not be in the form of a protest but simply for concerned citizens to stay at home to make a "strong statement."
"We are asking concerned citizens to stay away from work and for business places to close their doors," a source said.
According to one member of the group, the activity is not about it seeking to have a meeting with the government or the opposition but it is a way of making a "general statement" after which it is hoped that the government will declare what action it has put in train to deal with the situation.
"We are calling on all business places and private citizens to come out and let us fight this thing together," the group member said.
While no union has been officially approached it is hoped that all such organisations and associations will see it as a wise move to support the shutdown, the spokesman added.
It is expected that tomorrow the group will run another ad outlining to the public the purpose behind the action.
The shutdown will not include schools, hospitals and security services as the group feels that those are vital institutions but it has approached the mini-bus association to join its action. "We would hope that parents will find alternative ways to get their children to school on those days," the group member said.
The member added that the group has since been receiving calls from a number of groups and associations including non-governmental organisations who have indicated that they will be supporting the move.
The source said it is hoped that the government and the opposition party will contact each other and look past their differences and see the situation from the perspective the citizens are seeing it.
Reference was made to Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Manzoor Nadir's statements in yesterday's Sunday Stabroek where he stated that the shutdown will send a signal to criminals that they are gaining the upper hand. He had wondered why the group did not first engage in dialogue with the government setting out its concerns and suggesting answers rather than going public with the planned closure.
"What are we to talk about? They have gotten all the advice in the world, all the advice in the world has been given," the group member said referring to Nadir's remarks.
In yesterday's ad the group said that democratic rights must be fulfilled as follows: politicians must do "whatever" is necessary to serve and protect "all our citizens" and create an environment conducive to and perceived to be free for all Guyanese, irrespective of race, religion or creed.