PNC/R leads second 'rule of law' march
Guyana Chronicle
April 24, 2004
THE People's National Movement for Justice yesterday pulled off its second "rule of law march" which attracted about 300 people, as it stepped up efforts to mount pressure on the government to look in to a number of matters pertaining to what it said was restoration of the rule of law in Guyana.
The band of marchers bearing placards comprised people of political parties, civil society groups, trade unions and other organizations. The event was reportedly incident free.
The marchers took off from outside Parliament Buildings about 16:00 hours and went through several streets in the city before assembling at the Square of the Revolution where they were addressed briefly by representatives of the various organizations that participated.
Police escorted the marchers through the various routes in an effort to ensure there was no interruption to the flow of traffic and order was maintained.
Leader of the main opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Mr. Robert Corbin and trade unionist Mr. Lincoln Lewis were among the marchers who gave brief addresses at the Square.
Mr. Corbin told supporters of the march that "the time for talk is over and it is now time for action" - referring to what he said was the government's failure to respond to key issues such as the allegations leveled against Home Affairs Minister Mr. Ronald Gajraj, the existence of a "death" squad and other crime related issues.
He called on the supporters to stand up for their rights and promised that the march would continue.
The third in the series of marches planned by the organizers is due to be held on Thursday April 29, 2004 at 11:00 hrs.
During his contribution to the 2004 budget in the National Assembly last week, Minister Gajraj denied allegations that he was linked to any death squad and accused the PNC/R of orchestrating a vendetta campaign against him for his role in gearing the police to combat criminal elements in the society "on their own turf."