Raj Beepat - lecturer: `Yes. For the simple reason that once you give into a situation, you would be allowing it to dictate to you. If you keep postponing local activities because of the criminal activity in the country, it is saying that crime is dictating the pace of the country. You're actually saying that criminals have the upper hand. But I don't think whether or not you have masses together it will reduce the criminal activity. We have had many events where we've had a large number of persons assembled and there hasn't been any significant criminal activity, although you may have had petty criminal behaviour. But once we as a nation allow them to dictate, we are saying that they have the upper hand and that they are in control. And basically that it is not safe to walk on the streets anymore. If you postpone Mashramani that is what will happen. Think about the significance of Mashramani at this point in time. Mashramani can be an event that signals that we are still a nation rather than a divided people. And in any case criminals do not work by people's plans. You can't stop anything from happening. But what you need to do is control the situation. You need to put in place some arrangements to ensure that the security forces can react adequately or that they can effectively monitor the situation. The solution doesn't involve postponement. Because once you postpone you still have to find a solution.'

Shoba Garraway - telemarketer: `Yes I think we should celebrate Mashramani because it's a tradition. This is a time when people should come together. I will be going to Mash and I am positive that I will be safe. Think negative things and negative things will happen. I know my parents would be concerned for my safety, and I am also. But like I said think negative and negative things will happen. I do want more police on the road but I think they should be undercover, maybe they could be in plainclothes. We haven't had something like this in our country before, but that doesn't mean that a police patrol should at every turn be with their big guns. They give off very bad vibes.'

Alex Lopes - tattoo\graphic artist: `Well, I think we should be celebrating Mash in spite of what is going on, the violence and the shooting. It should not hamper our traditional celebration. These things must happen, that is why we have police. And in a country where it isn't easy to get a job people turn to crime very easily.
But I believe we shouldn't let it hamper our celebrations this year.
I think people should be more cautious this year, more aware. More aware of their surroundings and of people they're with, or if they're going to parties they don't need to take too much jewellery with them.

Mahadai Boodhoo - receptionist: `I will not be part and parcel of Mash this year. I won't be bringing my family and children down. The best thing right now is do what you have to do, do your business, go to your job and then go straight back home. That's the best thing right now because you don't have to have money, you don't have to be famous and you don't have to be involved in bad business, you could just be walking on the streets and get hit in the cross-fire. All you will hear is police are investigating and you don't hear anything else afterwards. You're dead and your family is left to suffer. At this time this country doesn't need a sport or a `lime'. We need people to start talking about ways and means to stop the crime. A day of mourning for the innocent who got caught instead of celebrating. I don't see a reason for Guyanese to be celebrating at this time, everybody should be concerned.'

Ravin Smith - mason: `Yes I think we should celebrate. It's an every year thing which a lot of people look out for. And we can't let what is going on now stop our celebration. Mash is a tradition and it also helps people to earn some money. It contributes revenue to the country. I will be going out this year with my family and I know you have to think about your safety but I wouldn't be letting anybody stop my enjoyment.'

Maxine Scott - self-employed: `Well, truly speaking, with what is going on in the country with the crime situation, I don't think we should have any Mash celebrations this year. The way this is going on, everybody is nervous and you can feel the tension right now. I am a vendor and every time I hear a little noise I feel afraid. To have the young children on the road now with the way the bandits are acting, they have no regard for anybody. I doubt whether I would be sending my children. You don't see what is going on right now? I fear, I fear for the kids, I fear for them. They are accustomed to the celebrations but I don't think we should go ahead with them. There is just too much chaos right now.'

Mitra Mohan - field operator: `That's a hard decision to make because it is a tradition. Because of the crime situation in the country now it's not easy to say yes, let us go ahead and celebrate Mashramani. And we can't just say no to the Mashramani we've been celebrating since 1970. That's why I say it's a very hard decision. Every year I usually go to Vlissengen Road or the National Park with my family. But this year if there is Mash I might not take the risk of going with my family. It might just be me alone because I would fear for their safety. The crime rate is on the increase, the police and the soldiers are trying their best and I don't think the government could do anything. I don't know if they have a next plan. I will be afraid if I go and that is why I say it's a hard decision. It is hard to choose between tradition and safety.'

Satasha Sobers - student: `Yeah we should have Mash celebrations because it's a tradition that we observe every year. I usually go out and I plan to this year. I am not afraid because once you have God, you have no reason to be afraid.'

Leon France - security guard: `I don't see the situation stopping Mash. Nothing will interfere with the spirit of people at Mash time. Mash will definitely be on this year, the calypsonians are already getting people into the spirit. My family and I go out for Mash every year and as long as I don't have to work I will be going out this year. I will be concerned, but I am a watchman and I believe that whatever is to happen will happen.'

Ruby Shaffi - retiree: `No, we can't go ahead because of the situation in the country right now. People are dying, people are getting shot by bandits every day. Me and my family, we usually go to the mall, but I don't know whether we would be going anywhere this year. The crime situation is definitely one of the things we would be thinking about. If we do go, I don't think we would be safe at all. The only thing you could do is pray.'