Dear Editor,
I am in a state of tribulation, angst, and disgust as I pen this open letter to, or probably about, the Powers That Be, regarding the sacrilegious act being inflicted upon Parade Ground, a sacred place for all patriotic Guyanese—particularly for the People of African Descent, whose ancestors’ decapitated heads were once placed on staves on that very ground, as an ultimate act of heinous massacre in response to their dare to wage a non-violent revolt against the plantation owners of the East Coast Demerara Estates, in their quest for their natural and God-given right to freedom.
Today, the successor and acclaimed democratic state appears to see nothing wrong in deciding the fate of that solemn ground without reference or deference to the descendants of those whose ancestors were victims of a crime against humanity—culminating in their decapitated heads being exhibited on staves at that site.
Most disconcerting is that this sacrilegious act is being carried out in blatant defiance of constitutional and legal provisions that empower the local government and the local people to determine the use and sanctity of that ground. Similar to the plantation owners, the Government seems to be resorting to force to impose its will—though illegal and immoral—on the citizenry.
In that regard, the Constitution stipulates that “Parliament shall provide that local democratic organs shall be autonomous and take decisions which are binding upon agencies, institutions, communities, and citizens of their areas.” The Municipality of Georgetown qualifies as such an organ, and Georgetown is such an area, which includes Parade Ground. Clearly, the Central Government and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in particular, are acting outside their legal jurisdiction as they seek to unilaterally determine the use of the ground.
There is also enabling legislation that specifically grants authority to municipalities regarding undivided lands within their areas. Section 320 of the Municipal and Districts Councils Act states that “All undivided lands in every council area, except private lands held in joint ownership or ownership in common, shall be under the control and management of the council.” Parade Ground is part of the undivided lands in Georgetown and, as such, falls under the jurisdiction of the Council. Therefore, the Minister’s unilateral decision to determine the use of Parade Ground violates both the constitutional provisions and the referenced legislation.
Additionally, laws relating to land use and the erection of structures require that applications be submitted to the Municipality for approval according to established bye-laws. The Central Government’s actions—attempting to decide on the use of Parade Ground and erect structures without due process, permission, or deference to the Municipality—are unlawful.
It is not merely a moral or just cause for the People of African Descent to call upon the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to cease and desist from trespassing on Parade Ground and usurping the authority of the Mayor and City Councilors of Georgetown. They are on firm legal ground as citizens of Georgetown to do so.
While Parade Ground is of immediate concern, it should be noted that such infringements and unlawful acts by the Ministry are widespread—particularly regarding undivided lands in local areas that have been set aside for recreational purposes.
It behooves the government to be trailblazers in upholding the rule of law, lest they lose the moral authority to do so altogether. Evidence of this decay is already apparent: the government’s resort to force and violence to ensure compliance—telling the citizenry to do as “they say,” rather than “what they, the Government, do”—is indicative of creeping elements of a failed state and illegitimate rule.
Yours respectfully,
Vincent Alexander
