PYO observes 63rd anniversary

Georgetown: The Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), one of the oldest and longest-serving youth organisations in Guyana, celebrated its 63rd anniversary on Sunday.
The youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its struggle for social, political and economic justice during Guyana’s pre- and post-independence years has faced severe repression, forcing it to change its name at least twice.
Since its creation, the organisation has defended and supported young people, placing a special emphasis on their involvement in decision-making processes and their access to fair and equal opportunities in the political, social and economic realms of Guyana.
Chairman of the PYO and PPP/C Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali, during an interview with this newspaper, stated that “the PYO over the last few months has noted the reversal of many of these achievements. In this regard, the firing of 1972 young Amerindians and hundreds of young people forced into resignation or terminated on a daily basis by this new Government has strengthened our solidarity and renewed our efforts to once more fight every force that seeks to divide us, and will speak up against every action that causes tension in our richly diverse society”.
Ali further stated that the PYO “salutes its stalwarts and all of Guyanese in their continuous support for our cause in building a strong, united and free Guyana”.
Among those notable personalities who were part of the PYO were Former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and the late Michael Forde.