US Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, representing New York’s 9th District, has come in for condemnation after she appeared on a show hosted by government critic Mark Benschop. The two discussed the arrest of social media activist Melissa Atwell, also known as ‘Melly Mel’, with Clarke wrongly condemning the Guyanese Government over the arrest.
Atwell, who has been critical of the government, was taken into custody in New York. Clarke, during the broadcast, expressed deep concern for Atwell’s well-being, stating that she had met with the activist and acknowledged her fears of persecution if deported to Guyana.
She went on to describe the situation as a “travesty”.
However, Clarke’s remarks have drawn the ire of Guyana’s Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who criticised the Congresswoman’s comments during his Tuesday night “Issues in the News” commentary. Nandlall expressed his discontent with Clarke’s decision to speak out against the government without all the facts at hand.
“It will not do for her to condemn the Government of Guyana and criticise it, without equipping herself with material facts and without offering the Government of Guyana the facility of a response or even a hearing,” Nandlall stated.
He further questioned the basis of Clarke’s conclusion that Atwell was a victim of political persecution. According to Nandlall, Clarke had only heard one side of the story, specifically from Atwell and Benschop, both known critics of the government.
“How did Ms. Clarke come to this conclusion?” Nandlall asked. “She spoke to Atwell, and she spoke to Mr. Benschop. Benschop is a known critic of the government. Atwell is a loud critic of the government. And listening to two critical voices, without expressing any doubt, she has come to the conclusion that it is a travesty.”
Nandlall also took issue with Clarke’s dismissal of the broader context surrounding Atwell’s actions, including her history of publishing critical and allegedly harmful content online. He described Atwell’s social media posts as “ridiculing, damaging, and falsehoods about innocent persons,” and pointed to the harm caused by her online activities.
“Did she hear the voices of those people? No, she didn’t,” Nandlall continued. “Did she know about the dozens of persons who had to pay money so that Atwell would stop publishing malicious and destructive materials? Does she know that Atwell published possibly 20-30 posts critical of the government and its ministers over the past three years?”
The Attorney General emphasised that Atwell had enjoyed freedom of speech and publication without interference from the government. He stated that no legal action was taken to restrict her posts, despite the publication of content that some considered damaging to individuals and the government.
“Ms. Clarke did not take time to find out about those things, but listened to one side and concluded that it is a travesty,” Nandlall said.
“What is the travesty, Ms. Clarke? It is your approach to this whole matter,” he added.
The post U.S Congresswoman’s criticism of Guyana Gov’t draws sharp response from Attorney General appeared first on News Room Guyana.
