ROC youths march for peace, love and unity
THE Rights of Children group (ROC) yesterday organised a ROC-A-Ton in which many youths marched through the streets of Georgetown in an effort to promote peace, love, unity and racial harmony ahead of the tense, pre-elections period. A number of bookmarks outlining a code of conduct aimed at promoting racial harmony were distributed to the participants of the ROC-A-THON, who represented various youth groups. According to the legend on the bookmarks, all Guyanese desire a peaceful election that is free from fear, and realising this wish depends a lot on how people relate to each other.
The message on the bookmarks pointed out that peaceful elections are the main challenge to all who have pledged to make Guyana a race-free zone, and have made their mark for racial harmony.
Seven steps to racial harmony are outlined on the bookmark. The steps are:
** assume `nothing' about a person because of race
** speak the `same' opinions to all people
** accept `no racial remarks' in our presence
** respect `differences' of opinion
** spread `no rumours' nor distort stories
** avoid `no one' because of race
** assist `any' victim of racial harassment
The message also urge that "by adopting this code of conduct for ourselves, we render more difficult the task of those who would divide us".
"Such behaviour also challenges the political parties and the media to adopt the same standards and to take their own codes of conduct seriously," the bookmark message adds.
It also urges: "Let's move forward in One Love with One Heart for one people, one nation, one destiny."
Ms Anna Florendo, one of the coordinators of the ROC-A-THON, in a comment yesterday afternoon, said the bookmarks were being distributed to schools also. She expressed the hope that it will serve as a guide or a pledge towards the achievement of racial harmony.
According to Florendo, this is the group's third ROC-A-THON and it was deliberately organised ahead of the tense pre-elections period so as to promote racial harmony.
General and Regional elections are slated for March 19 this year.
Florendo also indicated that the ROC-A-THON began by the Bank of Guyana building on Avenue of the Republic, and it moved through Regent Street, Camp Street, Lamaha Street, Main Street and ended at Independence Park (formerly Parade Ground, Middle street.
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