‘Come for me, not the people’ – President Ali blasts Rickford Burke-led body 

President Dr. Irfaan Ali rebuked attempts to fuel divisions among Guyanese, particularly those living in New York, following his well-received visit to the United States of America (USA) last week.

And for him, any critics should engage him directly and not try to harm ordinary people.

The Guyanese Head of State, in his passionate address broadcast live Sunday night, condemned a statement issued by the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), an organisation run by known People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) critic Rickford Burke.

In that statement, it was noted that individuals and businesses who engaged President Ali during his visit to Queens and Brooklyn would be boycotted. Persons who engaged Dr. Ali last week were also accused of “sucking up” to the President.

“If you have something against me, come after me with all you have… but leave the people out of this,” the President said sternly.

He added, “Do not seek to destroy the lives of ordinary people.”

Dr. Ali explained that he visited the communities, which are home to many members of the Guyanese diaspora, because he wanted to engage people directly. The President further said he aimed to spread his message of ‘One Guyana’ and glean from them whatever ideas or suggestions they might have for the development of Guyana and Guyanese.

And he condemned attempts to sow any division among people, noting that people who purport to be leaders should instead focus on promoting unity and harmony.

The President also responded directly to allegations that the people who engaged him were paid “stooges.”

“None of them were paid. They did not even ask for a bottle of water. They offered me water, they offered me food, they offered everyone water and food.

“To belittle these people, to say they were paid stooges… it is unfair,” Dr. Ali said.

The President called on US officials, including Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, to look into the organisations like the CGID that are engaging in “divisive and separatist” actions.

The President was in New York to receive the Legacy Award Class of 2024 at the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies’ 27th Annual Awards Gala for his “leadership and vision”.

During his time there, he visited the communities and also engaged some officials there.