8 arrested after dozens participate in anti-vaccine protests in Guyana

Georgetown, Guyana: On Wednesday, people in large numbers gathered across Georgetown, Guyana and protested against the coronavirus vaccine mandate. People held banners of opposition COVID-19 vaccine and shouted anti-vaccine slogans.

Following the demonstrations, police officials arrested eight people and charged them for illegally marching along Brickdam in Georgetown. As per reports, the protest was conducted by 150 at the Square of the Revolution.

According to a release from the force, many of those people started an unlawful march/procession along Brickdam.

Police also arrested Working People's Alliance supporter Kidackie Amsterdam; he loudly shouted "dictatorship" while the police were capturing him. Amsterdam said he was protesting peacefully, and it is his democratic right.

Kidackie Amsterdam and some of his followers were protesting outside the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand's office at 21 Brickdam. The protestors shouted slogans like, 'My body, my choice'.

Police officials stated that the protesters were heading down Brickdam and were captured before they could reach the 68 Brickdam location of the Ministry of Education, where several workers were Tuesday asked to leave because they were not vaccinated against COVID-19.

In Guyana, all teachers are asked to get vaccinated; however, they must undergo a weekly coronavirus test if they do not want to get vaccinated. But, upon failure of both, they must take home and marked absent from work.

The opposition also supported the anti-vaccine protests on Wednesday, opposing the government's decision to force government employees to take a vaccine.

An Activist named Odessa Primus called for more persons to go out and protest against vaccination. She said new limitations are forcing employees to get vaccinated or stay absent from work.