The vast majority of members of the United States Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) consciously decided to boycott a dinner for Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, that was organized by Texas Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee last Thursday night on Capitol Hill, a Congressional source told GNN News.
54 of the 58 CBC Members boycotted the event because of allegations that the PPP government is racist and practices racial discrimination against Blacks in Guyana, as well the PPP government’s ill-tempered response to concerns that the government is not complying with the equal protection requirements of the constitution, expressed by the Chairman of the Congressional Democratic Caucus, Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.
Jeffries who is tipped to replace Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she likely retires during or at the end of the next term, has said that the United States will not tolerate racism in Guyana. He has called on the government to treat everyone fairly.
A Congressional staffer said Jackson Lee distributed invitations for the dinner to CBC Members on the House floor. On the day of the event she reminded everyone to attend.
However, one CBC Member said once CBC Chairman Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Jeffries declined to meet with Ali, there was a domino effect. Lobbyists for Ali had requested a meeting with the CBC Chairman on Thursday, July 28. She however declined. No senior member of the Democratic Caucus or the CBC attended the event.
The Dinner was attended by Jackson Lee and New York Congressman Gregory Meeks. California Congressman Barbara Lee and Chicago Congressman Danny Davis attended.
The staffer said that Jackson Lee was clearly not appropriately apprised of the facts regarding Guyana, and operated without adequately familiarizing herself with Ali’s record and the facts about Guyana’s politics.
“Clearly she didn’t have all of the facts, and as a fighter for black rights and reparations, she has been placed in an embarrassing situation. She is on the wrong side of history with respect to the Black Guyanese Diaspora.”
Jackson Lee’s Chief of Staff, Ms. Lillie Coney, Friday rebuked the Ali government for issuing a misleading press statement falsely claiming that the dinner was hosted by the CBC. She demanded that the statement be withdrawn.
However, the government has failed thus far to do so.
GNN has learnt that Jackson Lee has requested to meet with Guyanese Diaspora organizations in the US, and representatives of the political opposition. She has also said that if evidence of racism, injustice and inequitable governance is presented to her, she will demand that the PPP government addresses those issues promptly.
By Staff Reporter
