Sharma ban can hit CARIFESTA

April 19, 2008 stabroek
-Corbin

By Gaulbert Sutherland

Calling for the restoration of CNS Channel Six to the airwaves, PNCR Leader Robert Corbin vowed yesterday that if the suspension was not lifted there would be “serious protest to make CARIFESTA unmanageable”.

From right are Savitree Sharma, CN Sharma, PNCR Leader Robert Corbin, PNCR Chairman Winston Murray and Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green during the march yesterday.
From right are Savitree Sharma, CN Sharma, PNCR Leader Robert Corbin, PNCR Chairman Winston Murray and Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green during the march yesterday.
As hundreds of persons gathered at a rally outside the Public Buildings in the late afternoon following a protest march through the streets of the city, Corbin declared that they would seek the intervention of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on this issue and if nothing was done, there would be protests to make the regional arts festival, being hosted in Guyana later this year, “unmanageable”.

As Corbin spoke, the audience cheered, in agreement with him and the opposition leader urged persons to turn out in large numbers at 2 pm on Monday, when they will go to CARICOM Head-quarters to ask for the Secretary-General’s intervention in the matter. Corbin, in addressing the audience declared that if the suspension was not revoked, the party would have a “difficulty” in “cooperating” with CARIFESTA being held here. Guyana is set to officially roll out its slate of activities for CARIFESTA on Wednesday, As speaker after speaker, which included PNCR Chairman, Winston Murray, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) President, Gillian Burton, CNS Six proprietor, CN Sharma, and others addressed the crowd in the cool of the late afternoon sun on various topics including the rising cost of living, VAT, corruption, the CNS Six suspension, and other topics, they were greeted by cheers from the assembled gathering.

Just a couple of hours earlier, at 3 pm, persons gathered at the corner of D’Urban Street and Mandela Avenue where the march started off some 40 minutes after the scheduled start time. Their chanting of “No Sharma, No CARIFESTA” was a forewarning of Corbin’s later assertions. Marching through D’Urban Street to Louisa Row then along Cummings Street into Middle Street and then to Carmichael Street to Church Street then through Avenue of the Republic to the Public Buildings on Brickdam, the crowd waved their placards and shouted their slogans as they voiced their objections against various issues.

The protest gathering outside Public Buildings yesterday.
The protest gathering outside Public Buildings yesterday.
At Brickdam, Sharma was the first of the speakers after being introduced by PNCR parliamentarian Volda Lawrence.

He spoke about the increasing cost of living declaring that persons including police, doctors, and teachers among others were being underpaid. He commended Corbin for playing a part and organizing the march and to loud cheers he assured the crowd “If you have a problem contact me at Channel Six.

I will be there”. He said that the suspension of his licence for four months was an attempt to financially handicap him and prevent him from moving about and highlighting the people’s problems. He declared that he had the strength of the people and “we will talk later”.

Earlier, during the march, persons carried placards bearing various phrases including ‘Guyanese taxed to death’, ‘Jagdeo don’t respect human rights, how can we unite’, ‘What about the murder of Donna Herod’, ‘Unemploy-ment is too high’, among various others. Corbin and Sharma led the march which was held under threatening grey skies.

Preceded by a banner reading ‘Freedom March against dictatorship, unemployment, crime, VAT and high cost of living, corruption, incompetence and bad governance’, the marchers chanted various slogans including, ‘We want Channel Six’, ‘No justice, no CARIFESTA’, ‘we want freedom’, ‘No justice, no peace’, ‘Free Hinckson now’, ‘Give Sharma he license now’, ‘Run Jagdeo run, Sharma and he people coming’ among various other phrases.

Hailed

The crowd grew larger as persons joined it along the route, including many children. Persons on motorbikes and bicycles found spaces at the head and back of the procession and rode along. It seemed that in some parts of the city a march was unexpected as persons were heard commenting on this.

The lead banner at the march yesterday.
The lead banner at the march yesterday.
Along the route, persona leaned out of their windows and balconies and some shouted encouragement while many including lots of children hailed Sharma. There was some talk among persons walking at the head of the procession about diverting the route but this was not acted upon.

At Brickdam, Lawrence told the crowd that this is a time to battle and “time for us to stand up behind CN Sharma”. To the shout of ‘No Sharma, No CARIFESTA”, she urged that it not only be a slogan or talk. Speaking after her was Murray, who recounted the history that led to the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) and its functions. He declared that he was willing to debate any government minister or “cohort”, preferably on the state-owned NCN, on the merits or demerits of the CNS Six suspension. He declared that after 15 years in power and after promising a clean, lean and mean government, it was all but that, pointing to the 23 ministers in cabinet, the high earnings of some ministers and corruption.

Using an editorial from the Stabroek News, he listed several cases of corruption including the ‘stone scam’, ‘wildlife fund fraud’, ‘dolphin scam’ and what had happened in each matter. He spoke on several issues including investments, employment, the rising cost of living, VAT and other issues. “Dah man is de right man”, several persons said nodding and shouting their agreement.

To a restless crowd, GTUC President Burton spoke on similar issues including the education system, and the National Insurance Scheme, which she called upon to give pensions one year after retirement. On the multi-stakeholders forum, she declared that after giving their suggestions and ideas, “today we are still to see the process being taken forward”. On the CNS Six suspension she expressed concern that the action placed workers on the breadline.

Addressing the crowd after her was Corbin and he declared that the closure of CNS had nothing to do with the threat to the president’s life but was part of a “continuous pattern” by the administration “to ensure that there is no free press”. He spoke on several other issues and to shouts of yes asked the gathering if they were prepared to continue the exercise. He related that their request for the march to pass through Regent, Wellington and Robb streets was denied by the police and said that they would be applying to march through these very streets on Monday again. He said that if Channel Six was not restored to the airwaves, the party would have a “difficulty with cooperating” with CARIFESTA being held here this year. He urged persons to turn out in large numbers on Monday at 2 pm to go to CARICOM headquarters to present the issue and request the intervention of the Secretary-General. He said that at 10 am on Tuesday, they will go to the Office of the President and following this the people will be informed of further actions.

At the end of the rally, a few employees bearing placards reading ‘Mr. President, please reduce the penalty’, ‘Four month suspension is too harsh’, ‘Mr. President, how will my family eat? I have no job’, spoke briefly and thanked the PNCR and Corbin for organizing the march and rally.

Thanking the people for their support an employee said that they were “still open for business”.

oh please. Or else what???????????? Corbin should be working with Jagdeo to have the suspension reduced not dropped. The fact that Sharma replayed the message 3 times without an initial edit shows that he was at least culpable to a lesser degree than the caller.

That statement of "3 times" is questionable.

Sharma's lawyers asked for the evidence since last Tuesday...and still waiting.

Was the Caller a "Plant"?

Jagdeo the new Burnham.

quote:

Originally posted by Na Cl:

Was the Caller a "Plant"?

that's irrelevant now since Sharma replayed the tape 3 times.

Three important observations here: 1) The PNC called the event, 2) Thousands showed up, and 3) There were no forms of violence or destruction.

This augurs well for a velvet revolution by the people to run this wannabe dictator out of Guyana. Put him on a plane to Moscow, pronto, if the PPP does not do the right thing and recall him like yesterday!

The main observation you did not make.Indians did support the protest. Only a few Indian employees of Sharma were there.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken:
The main observation you did not make.Indians did support the protest. Only a few Indian employees of Sharma were there.

Ken I hope you could be honest.....please dont lie like Jagdeo...
First he say there is no corruption .....now he is admitting there is widespread corruption and it goes to high people in the Party.
And he will name names to embarass them.
He already Zero in on Donald, and he got him Ducking, quiet and hiding becaause of the Guysuco scandal.

And since you are good at Observation tell us who are these People in Berbice....HONESTLY!!!!

Sugar workers still off the job

NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE - Several categories of sugar workers from the East Berbice Rose Hall and Albion estates, the Providence location and Blairmont estate are still on strike.
Yesterday, the workers stayed at home and continued the protest action. The same is expected to happen on Monday when five of their colleagues are expected to meet with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in Georgetown.
The workers commenced the strike on Tuesday with relatively large demonstration marches in New Amsterdam and in East Canje. On Tuesday they burnt tyres and the following day, using debris they blocked the roadway.
On Thursday Prime Minister Samuel Hinds met with them in New Amsterdam. There it was decided that the best way forward was to select a smaller group to speak on their behalf.
These workers are fed up with the high cost of living and said they prefer to stay off the job and go hungry than to work and still cannot satisfy the basic needs of their families. Their action may continue next week.
Meanwhile, yesterday Steve Braithwaite, 26, Faizal Ali, 27, husband and wife 44-year-old George and 39-year-old Leslyn Southwell, Mohendra Sham, 32, Nandalall Charrandas, 36, and Shazed Mohamed, 25, all of Betsy Ground; Bishram Bridjmohan, 37, of Goed Bananen Land; and Debra Simon of Adelphi, East Canje were each placed on $5,000 bail when they appeared in court charged with assembling in a public way for disorderly purpose.
The charge stemmed from Wednesday's protest action in East Canje.
Shazed Mohamed faced an additional charge after he allegedly assaulted a peace officer.
Magistrate Chandra, sitting at the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Court, ordered the group to return to court on May 2.
Attorneys at Law Ramesh Rajkumar, Johnny Persaud and Charandas Persaud appeared on their behalf.
Attorney at Law Khemraj Ramjattan is expected to be a part of the legal team when they return to court.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
Jagdeo the new Burnham.

I can see that you are afraid of Jagdeo.

Hopefully Corbin has simmered down and will not seek to instigate and agitate his followers to create mayhem in August!!

quote:

Originally posted by Nippy:
Hopefully Corbin has simmered down and will not seek to instigate and agitate his followers to create mayhem in August!!

How is the protest march going? How many people attend?

There were 15 people at the front of the Caricom Headquarter at Turkyne.

I think the punishment was too harsh for Sharma for this one incident. But when all the violations are taken over the past years, the punishment surely suits the crime. Let us be for real, Sharma get away with a lot of slander in the past, making a mockery of the PPP and Jagdeo. Give then enough rope and they will hang themselves eventually, this is what happened to Sharma.

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:
making a mockery of the PPP and Jagdeo. .

In a free country Sharma can say what he wants whether folks want to hera it or not.

But in Guyana of Big King Kong (Burnham) and Little King Kong (Jagdeo) any who say what they dont want to hear are "anti govt", "anti Guyana" and seditious and need to be stopped. This rule applies especially to those deemed to belong to the two King Kongs by virtue of race.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:
making a mockery of the PPP and Jagdeo. .

In a free country Sharma can say what he wants whether folks want to hera it or not.

But in Guyana of Big King Kong (Burnham) and Little King Kong (Jagdeo) any who say what they dont want to hear are "anti govt", "anti Guyana" and seditious and need to be stopped. This rule applies especially to those deemed to belong to the two King Kongs by virtue of race.

Slander, character assasination and broadcasting inciteful comments 3 time is not the characteristics of a free nation. You mean a free for all nation. What about the rights of those who are the object of redicule?

The government is not silencing Sharma because he criticize them, he is being punished for downright irresponsible journalism which he himself have acknowledged. Could you imagine in the US a TV or radio station broadcasting the comments of a person saying they will kill the president? What would happen? Will the FCC say freedom of speech and look the other way?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BGurd_See:

Slander, character assasination and broadcasting inciteful comments 3 time is not the characteristics of a free nation. You [\QUOTE]

I wonder when Jagdeo slanders people and basically threatening their life if that means that he should be banned for 4 months.

Sharma did not make the comments. A caller did. Now you can accuse Sharma of sloppy editing (the specific threat should have been edited out) but please dont imagine that a silly old woman making idle threats is what caused teh shut down. Its tha fact tahgt he gives poor Indians a forum to vent their frustrations and that angers Jagdeo.

Sharma should have been fined. He didbnt akke teh comments. No one on his station made the comments and there is no evidence that he agreed with these comments.


I think that Jagdeo should spend as much time trying to protect this old (I am willing to bet Indian) woman who fees scared than trying to silence her. In fact he has actually made more people aware of these remarks than would have been the case had he ignored this.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

In a free country Sharma can say what he wants whether folks want to hera it or not ..

As it should be within the ambits of the Laws and Regulations.

Freedom of Speech always has the attendant aspects -- responsobility, accountability and consequences.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

Sharma did not make the comments. A caller did.

Now you can accuse Sharma of sloppy editing (the specific threat should have been edited out)

Hence, a display of injudicious stewardship in dispensing news and information.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Demerara_Guy,

quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by caribj:

Sharma did not make the comments. A caller did.

Now you can accuse Sharma of sloppy editing (the specific threat should have been edited out) QUOTE]
Hence, a display of injudicious stewardship in dispensing news and information.

In which case he should be fined. You do not just put 30 people on the breadline willy nilly just like that.

I repeat.jagdeo needs to spend time on Fine Man and all those bandits ( and not just those from Buxton) who rob Guyanese of all races and less time on angry Indian grannies.


He also needs to examine to what extent has VAT worsened the cost of living especially of the poor. You know not everybody lives in a world like he does with personal bodyguards and a huge bank account. Now is not the time to make already high food costs even worse.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

In which case he should be fined.

That is your opinion ... and simply just only your opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

In which case he should be fined.

That is your opinion ... and simply just only your opinion.

I am glad that you applaud Jagedeo using the same methods that Burnham would have.

What is interesting is his callousness and doing nothing like alleviating the hardships faced by many in the face of escalating food prices. Food prices high.......so make it even higher through VAT!!!!!!

Instead Jagdeo makes a stupid old Indian granny and a semi literate Indo man who owns a TV station his priority.

Its amazing every time he shifts the topic away from whats important people like you living safely in North America fall for this scamster.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

I am glad that you applaud Jagedeo using the same methods that Burnham would have.

Show clearly where I made such statement !!

As always, you twist issues to suit your warped, misguided and self-serving purposes.

quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

I am glad that you applaud Jagedeo using the same methods that Burnham would have.

Show clearly where I made such statement !!

.

Your endorsement of the TV station being closed and 30 people thrown out of work. Sloppy editing is not a reason to close a station down.

Typical Burnhamite tactics and yet another example of how well Jagdeo learnt his lessons at the feet of Forbes and while in the USSR.