Michael -business-man:

`I think it was wrong. They should have had respect for the OP and nobody should have entered the compound. Why weren’t the security forces there to prevent this from happening? If they were there the people might not have ended up in the compound. But I think it was wrong for those that were there to use such force, killing people. They were human beings and there should have been better methods to deal with the protestors. They could have used their batons or pellets. For instance in Jamaica or other countries they use the fire hose to keep back protesters. There should have been more restraint so as to prevent death. As for the leader of the protest, the leader should have had some control or some method in place to control the march or restore order in the group. There are always unruly people in these groups. They could have identified people to keep order and ensure nothing like this happened. Now a whole lot of questions need to be asked about security. The guards are supposed to be there at all times.’

Robert Sancho -
mortician:

‘What isn’t right is the fact that security was not tight that day. We know at the OP security is very stringent. Both sides are responsible. I am certain they regret it now. There are two dead, how many in the hospital and how many in the lock-ups. Perhaps it was intended. I personally feel it is time for a change in the government because this situation will never cease. We need somebody new, maybe even an Amerindian President. The Afro-Guyanese don’t want the East Indians to rule and the East Indians don’t want the Afro-Guyanese to rule. This is a racial conflict and once we have that we can never get anywhere. We need somebody new, somebody neutral racially and politically. It is the neutral side of the table we are looking for now.’

Shirley Smith - self-
employed:

‘There were some people campaigning for a legitimate cause. But within they are destructive elements who try to take advantage of the situation. But what happened on Wednesday could have been prevented if there was communication. The government ministers need to see and understand what the people are going through but they have their heads so high in the clouds they can’t see what is going on at the bottom. How can they solve the problems if they can’t see them? I think unemployment is the major cause of what is going on today. If there were job opportunities people would be occupied. I just hope that people will see the main reason for what is going on in the country is not a race issue. It doesn’t have anything to do with that.’

Jason Melville - clerk:

‘I don’t think it was a good idea. There could have been a lot more casualties. Indeed, it was premeditated, it looks that way. The people are frustrated, they need action and that was the whole idea. But there could have been more restraint, there was no need to take human lives like that. I wouldn’t say it was the leader(s) not having control which caused the incident it was just the vagabonds within the group who wanted to do their own thing. I had mixed emotions when I heard they had gone into the OP because like I said earlier, a lot of people in the country are frustrated and that is the only way they felt they could attract attention. The government is not taking action, they are dragging their feet on the issues.’

Veronica Bagot -
former teacher:

‘It was a terrible experience. I think it was a grave disrespect for the laws of the country. Regardless of who is ruling, they should have respect for the government of the country and anybody who causes something like what happened on Wednesday should be dealt with severely. But they are blaming one party. The opposition party has never preached violence. They tell people to live within the law. But there are troublemakers hanging about the place and they are just waiting for something to start. The attack was wrong. Now you are coming into the city and you are frightened.’

Richard Samuels -
pensioner:

‘I think that the storming of the OP was wrong. And if it was a protest, they should have gone in and left without causing the kind of mayhem that was caused. What it is being read as is an attempt to assassinate the President, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that. I would agree with any form of protest but it must be done in the right manner: You carry your placards, you march, you sing your songs, you move from one place to the other and somebody addresses the group at the end. Then you disperse. I consider what took place on Wednesday as public lawlessness. It could have resulted in much more casualties. There would have been more but the police are more constrained now.’

W. Stoll - housewife:

‘I don’t feel it was right. I don’t know why we have these problems. Why did they even try to enter? They knew what would be the consequences if they entered. If they wanted to protest they should have stood on the road and done so in a peaceful manner. It is not a protest anymore when they start beating and robbing people, it becomes crime. The leaders should have been able to control them. Now innocent people have died for nothing. Something should be done.’

Pedro Pascul - miner: