DESTRUCTION OF POLITICAL BILLBOARDS, PEACE & HEALTH MESSAGES, A DANGEROUS DEVELOPMENT

Last night, a number of our billboards were ripped down at various locations in the country. The Peoples Progressive Party/Civic is outraged by this act of criminality that constitutes a direct assault on political freedom.

Over the past two weeks, a number of our posters throughout the country have been deliberately ripped down and replaced by posters of the PNCRIG and the AFC. We deplore these senseless actions which send an ominous signal about the possible intentions of those who are orchestrating such acts of provocation.

For example:

The following vehicles, with opposition activists were involved in these criminal acts:

Motor Car (sheriff Taxi) HB 42

White Mini Bus BHH 4169

White Canter GJJ 9006

White Canter (single cab pick up) # unavailable

Blue Mini Bus (# 41) # unavailable

Areas where Billboards/Banners, flags and posters were destroyed :

Houston Junction Billboard

Embassy Turn (Russian) Billboard

Kitty Pump Station Billboard

Joe Viera Park Billboard

Stewartville Flags and Posters

Leonora Flags and Posters

Tushen Flags & Posters

Main & Church Flags & Posters

Lamaha & Camp Streets Large size banners

Lamaha & Main Streets Large size banners

Brickdam Flags& Posters

Bagotstown E.B.D Flags &Posters

We have also noted with concern that apart from the destruction of our billboards at Kitty and Houston, the billboard of the Ethnic Relations Commission calling for peace and a USAID-sponsored HIV-AIDS campaign poster were also torn down.

We consider this a dangerous and worrying development in the country and call on the law enforcement authorities to take note of this development which threatens the peace and stability of our country. We continue to urge good relations amongst all the people of Guyana and for all citizens to demonstrate respect and tolerance towards one another.

August 24, 2006

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