Major protests against metered parking held in Guyana's capital city

Peaceful Assembly

For several weeks, beginning on 3rd February 2017, citizens held weekly protests against the installation of metered parking. The recently-formed Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) organised the demonstrations at City Hall in Georgetown, Guyana's capital city. Parliamentarians, business owners, members of civil society and concerned citizens gathered to voice their objection to the parking meters, as concern grew over the cost of installation, transparency in operating the meters, and the potential negative impact on business in the area.

During the first week of protest, confusion erupted as a small group of pro-parking meters supporters congregated in the same place and verbally attacked the anti-parking meter protesters, accusing them of being People’s Progressive Party activists. Antagonism grew to the level of death threats and the police had to intervene and arrest an aggressor. After the authorities installed the meters, many people boycotted by refusing to park in those spaces.

In addition to the parking meter protests, on 9th March 2017, sugar workers picketed outside the Ministry of the Presidency to express their grievances over the proposed closure of the Wales and the East Demerara sugar estates. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joined the protesting workers, demanding a government response and adequate compensation for the workers.