Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
April 17, 2001

IT WAS not an Easter illusion yesterday - the thousands that flocked the open places, beaches and other clear spots for the traditional Easter Monday kite-flying with the kids and for other revelry.

Almost everywhere, there were people of all races having fun together and in peace and there were no signs of smouldering roadblocks and burning tyres among them.

There were no reports of violence and intimidation and those in the crowds were certainly not at war with each other.

It is our hope that those intent on stirring race hate and strife among Guyanese for their own ends would realise, from yesterday's turnout, that the majority of Guyanese would have none of their bile and want to live in peace with their neighbours and friends.

In his Easter message, President Bharrat Jagdeo had urged Guyanese to turn out in their numbers for the Easter weekend to show the world that they reject violence, incitement and intimidation.

His appeal was against the background of the recent events in the country that he noted had "cast a negative shadow over this year's commemoration."

"But our people have historically shown that they possess great faith", the President pointed out and is confident "that we shall overcome the deeds of the retrogressive forces that today stalk our land, spreading fear into the hearts of our people and causing destruction to businesses, homes and even churches."

He urged all families to let the spirit of optimism glow in their hearts.

Everywhere there are calls for an end to the violence and the intimidation and we yesterday reported on how neighbours o Good Friday readily responded to help avert a fire deliberately set at a home and store in Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

Neighbours are watching out for neighbours and the majority of people in this country clearly want no part of the disaster some forces are courting.

It is time for people to begin to stand up and speak out against the atrocities and we welcome the forthright statements from groups condemning the violence and the excesses that have gone on for too long in some quarters.

More and more people are outraged at the malicious rumours and bile bring churned out on some TV stations and they are demanding that the law be allowed to take its course against those who are guilty of what is clearly sedition.

The spreading of vicious rumours in Georgetown and its environs is also designed to feed the fear and hold citizens hostage in a prison of numbness and despair.

More calls must go up denouncing attempts at violence and citizens have to rally around the forces of law and order when they stand firmly against those intent on sowing mayhem and chaos.

The turnout for the Easter holiday yesterday is a sign that our people cherish peace and freedom but they would have to rally around more in defence of these things they hold dear.