Peaceful Assembly
Protesters demand reparations from the descendants of John Gladstone related to enslavement
On 24th August, a group of Afro-Guyanese people protested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport as members of the Gladstone family arrived in the country. According to News Room, a national online news media, the Gladstone family visited Guyana “to help fund a new research centre at the University of Guyana (UG) in addition to offering an apology for their ancestors’ involvement in the slave trade.”
John Gladstone was one of the largest slaveholders in the Caribbean colonised by Britain, who owned thousands of slaves in Guyana. John was also the father of William Gladstone, former British Prime Minister during the 19th Century.
Protesters lined up silently outside the airport with placards, “The apology is a start” and “Pay up now”. A day later, people demonstrated against Charles Gladstone’s apology speech at the UG. “It is with deep shame and regret that we acknowledge our ancestor’s involvement in this crime and with heartfelt sincerity that we apologise to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana,” said Charles Gladstone, William’s great-great grandson.
Outside the auditorium, protesters shouted “Murderers!” and held signs reading, “Fair reparation for the crimes and legacy of slavery”, “The Gladstones are murderers” and “Stolen people, stolen dreams.” “The British government and others benefited from the slave trade, their descendants and heirs. They owe us, and the legacy will affect future generations as well,” said Cedric Castellow, one of the leaders of the protests.
Charles and five family members pledged their support for a new university department. They also urged the United Kingdom to engage in discussions with the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) regarding reparations. Eric Phillips, Chair of the Guyana Reparations Committee and Vice-Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the Gladstones and stated that their apology sets an example for others.
Further, the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, called on descendants of European slave traders to offer to pay reparations to right historical wrongs. “The descendants of John Gladstone must now also outline their plan of action in line with the Caricom plan for reparatory justice for slavery and indentureship,” the President said.
According to the BBC, this visit coincided with the 200th anniversary of the 1823 rebellion in Demerara—a British colony that eventually became part of Guyana. The uprising originated on one of Gladstone’s plantations.
Descendants of John Gladstone, the former absentee owner of slave plantations in Guyana’s Demerara County, were greeted by placard bearing citizens on their arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Thursday night.https://t.co/iEoadpCBMf
— News Room (@newsroomgy) August 25, 2023
Sugar workers demand severance payments, following roadblocks and detentions
From August to September, sugar workers went on strike for at least 15 days to demand severance payments from the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO). Sugar was the backbone of the country’s national economy, but in recent years GUYSUCO has shut down some crucial estates, such as the Rose Hall Estate, which was closed in 2017.
On 20th August, the workers protested against their union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), calling for better representation. At least 100 workers went to the headquarters of the union, accusing it of siding with the government and the GUYSUCO. They also demanded an audience with President Irfaan Ali.
On 31st August, the Vice President of Guyana declared that workers “did not get the severance, because they were not severed. APNU [A Partnership for National Unity, political alliance] transferred them to Blairmont and Albion. So there were no issues of paying severance, because they were not severed. And APNU refused to pay severance to those who lost their job. What we gave was 250,000 to all the workers who were severed, because the severance was a pittance. So, it wasn’t compensation, but it was meant to add to their severance.”
On 4th September, sugar workers from the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, who were transferred to estates in Albion and Blairmont, peacefully blocked the road in Canje Turn with wooden poles. The Guyana Police Force, protected by their shields and batons, forcibly removed them from the road. Following this, 20 men, including 16 sugar workers, were arrested in Berbice and charged with several offences, ranging from obstruction of traffic to unlawful assembly, malicious damage to property, and terrorism. The matter was adjourned to 16th October 2023 for report.
The Guyana government has expressed disappointment at the protest action taken by some of the workers.
Citizens demand transparency and fairness in oil contracts
In September, protesters took to the streets to denounce the oil contracts signed between the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil.
On 14th September, the Red Thread Women and other citizens stood outside the National Stadium at the opening game of the Guyana leg of the Caribbean Premier League Cricket (CPL), Providence East Bank Demerara. In addition to their demands for a contract change, the protestors were also educating the public about how they are being “robbed by a bad contract.” Ten days later, a large group demonstrated outside the National Stadium during the finals of the CPL.
As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, the Red Thread Women have been targeted in 2023 to silence activists who spoke out against mining, fossil fuel extraction and sexual violence.
Protests over road conditions
On 15th September, a group of residents at Kuru Kuru on the Linden Soesdyke protested the state of their roads in the area. The protests saw residents with placards lining the roadway, demanding that their roads be repaired.
Nadia, a resident and a schoolteacher, shared a near-accident experience, emphasising safety issues. She said that the week before, while travelling in a minibus, the vehicle nearly overturned, causing her daughter to be thrown forward. Additionally, due to drivers avoiding the road, children have been forced to walk long distances to get to school.
Kwame McCoy, from the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, called on citizens “to exercise patience and to understand the magnitude of work that rests on the government’s shoulder.”