Public Service Union rally for St Andrew’s Church compound
Stabroek News
December 13, 2002
Today’s planned rally by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been given the go ahead but it is restricted to the St Andrews Church compound.
A release from the union yesterday said that permission has been granted by the authorities of the church for the rally to be held in the compound.
The meeting which will be chaired by Dr Anwar Hussain will see GPSU President Patrick Yarde sharing the podium with General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, Lincoln Lewis and President of the General Workers Union, Norris Witter.
Police on Wednesday evening said in a release that permission had been refused for the holding of the rally by the union on Brickdam on the grounds that it would hinder the smooth flow of traffic along the busy carriageway.
The police further said that the prevailing climate in the society with respect to criminal activities was another factor in the refusal of permission.
However Yarde noted that while police would normally close the throughway during sittings of parliament and more recently during the preliminary inquiry into treason charges, the union had not requested such a move.
It had only requested a police presence and would have taken care to ensure that there were minimal traffic delays.
Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald yesterday wrote the union reaffirming the refusal of permission for a rally on Brickdam.
