What should have been a day for the people to speak with one voice as they formed a human chain between the PNCR and PPP headquarters ended up in controversy as a symbolic coffin was burnt outside Congress Place by a group of women.
The event, part of a day of atonement and reconciliation, was poorly attended with stretches along the three-mile route which no hands could span despite the involvement of schoolchildren and various religious organisations.
But it was at PNCR headquarters at Sophia where controversy erupted when a group of organisers led by Head of the Guyana Council of Churches, Bishop Juan Edghill, dropped off a black box depicting a coffin outside the opposition's headquarters. The symbol, according to organisers, was meant to depict death as a consequence of criminal activity. But a group of women who had gathered, presumably to participate in the inter-faith event, became infuriated by the coffin which they saw as offensive to the PNCR and began abusing the group who accompanied it.
The symbol, which was placed in the compound of a nearby mosque for safe-keeping, was retrieved and burnt by some women who hurled abuse at its bearers and other church members who had gathered to participate in the event.
They further objected to what they said were offensive markings about the PNCR on the coffin which they considered not consistent with the purpose of the event.
But several of the organisers told this newspaper later that the coffin was not intended to offend but rather to highlight the reality of the current situation as it relates to crime.
Further, it was intended to be a symbolic gesture depicting several of the people killed violently as a result of the recent crime wave and did bear names of some of these.
PNCR Executive member, James McAllister, asked later about the incident, questioned the objective of the organisers in bringing the coffin to that location. He however did not find the slogans he saw on the second box offensive while highlighting that his party had offered its support to the human chain, even encouraging organisers to hold the event.
A participant in the human chain, Roxanne Kawall, said the coffin was a hard-hitting symbol of death which is a reality of the current violent situation.
Objectors to the box had said that it bore statements that they considered inappropriate. Another box had inscriptions such as "60-killed", "Victims of Violence", "Yes to Life" and "No to Death". Names of some victims of recent killings were also inscribed. A member of a Muslim organisation acknowledged that the last minute gesture might have been a bit insensitive.
He described the event as suffering from poor adult participation at the Sophia end but added that it was a first step.
The human chain had groups at several corners along the route specifically in Garnett Street close to Sheriff Street, on Church Street closer to Irving Street and in Wellington Street close to the PPP headquarters, Freedom House on Robb Street.
Over at Freedom House the chain started forming just after 10 am but failed to grow much longer than fifty persons. Participants held banners and posters appealing for love, peace and unity. The Mothers in Black carried a symbolic coffin in representation of all the innocent lives that were taken during the current crime crisis.
Minister of Health, Leslie Ramsammy said he took an hour out of his schedule to support the venture. He noted that if Guyanese could not take an hour to commit to something as meaningful as the human chain then there is nothing they could commit to as a people. "When people come together it sends a message to persons in authority, persons who have roles to play," the Minister of Health said.
According to Roshan Khan, member of the Guyana Islamic Forum the message of the link is clear: political parties must work with the people, join them or leave office. He noted that the various religious groups are praying, begging and demanding this of the two main parties.
Members of the Guyana Missionary Baptist Church, Fifth Street, Campbellville were present at the Freedom House chain and expressed their concern for the country and where it was headed for the coming year. Some citizens asked the two main political parties to settle their differences and lead the country.
According to them any effort that can link the two parties one way or another is worthwhile therefore more people should have been present. A prayer for atonement and reconciliation was read at noon for the healing of the nation.