Thread by @roelraymond

🧵Jumping in a little late here, but to suggest that GGG is a covert JVP, NPP, IUSF, SYU operation is very misleading. They are certainly doing much of the heavy lifting (more power to them) but having been there from day one, I can say that there has been every possible....1/

...representation imaginable WITH the exception of anyone known or perceived to have ulterior motives or agendas. This is why the politicians were and are, largely, persona non grata there. 2/

This does not mean the protest is apolitical - it is very political, but NOT ONE person there - for as long as I walked the length and breadth of it - was propagating any party as the solution to the issues we are facing. 3/

Instead, everyone was united under the banner of #GotaGoHome followed by #RajapaksasGoHome, as well as requests for 225 to leave, system changes, stolen money to be regained, etc. 4/

Whatever the personal political affiliations of people - even if it was that they did not believe in electoral politics/had never voted before/did not know who to vote for etc - it was put aside in favour of the larger cause of peacefully removing the President. 5/

There was also genuine curiosity, interest and a hunger to know more about what constitutional and political processes and provisions there were for actual change. 5/

While the presence of politicians was mostly frowned on, there were a few that made it there and were not booed away: @LihiniFernando and @VraieB being two of them. Perhaps the others felt they didn't have enough social capital to insure them. 6/

I do remember thinking the other politicians ought to come - that they should disguise themselves in some way and come in to actually see what the 'vibe' on the ground was so that they understood what people wanted. But no one did. 7/

The IUSF and SYU are political and left-wing, but they were not chased away from GGG when they marched in: the GGG protestors were greatly strengthened by their vast and organised presence and they were met with cheers. 8/

It was the IUSF that re-routed to the former PM's Wijerama Road residence and protested there as well as regrouped outside Parliament, renaming that area #HoruGoGama. At no point did GGG protesters distance themselves from the IUSF then, or now. 9/

I'll add, among the many people at GGG this past month were also 'advisors' to politicians - people with very strong party affiliations - but they were not asked to leave either because no one was propagating any one party or person as a solution to the issues. 10/

On May 9, when Sajith was attacked, I was there. In fact, I was with my camera out, and right in front of him. I've detailed what happened before, but to recap, MGG and GGG had just come under attack, tear gas and water cannons had been fired, and emotions were high. 11/

While GGG supporters were angry at police and military for allowing pro-gov. protestors to come through and attack them they were also holding each other back from advancing in the direction the pro-govt. marauders had retreated to. 12/

They were very upset, and very angry, but also holding each other back. Men and women were shouting at each other 'stand back, stand back'. They were telling each other 'don't go (in that direction). 13/

It was in the middle of all of this that Mujibur R. and some of his peeps turned up and walked very confrontationally in the direction of the police, military and towards where pro-govt marauders had retreated/been made to retreat. 14/

GGG supporters surrounded him and asked him NOT to go - they were trying to deescalate situ and did not want anyone going towards pro-govt. peeps. He went ahead anyway and GGG protestors fell back; they were trying to maintain a large distance b/ween themselves and pro-gov. 15/

And then Sajith and Eran walked in.🤦‍♀️ Their intentions may have been good, but they had evidently not read the room. They are not beloved, charismatic leaders that can walk into a highly volatile situation and expect to be welcomed with open arms. 16/

People's frustrations lie with the opposition as much as it lies with the governing party. While the opposition may not have perpetrated current troubles, they are seen as complicit in their inability to offer a viable alternatives and solutions 17/

There was a wave of spontaneous anger that arose in the heat of that moment at what was perceived as a pretentious presence and Sajith and Eran were chased away. There was no premeditated attack by the JVP, NPP whatever else the conspiracy theory purports. 18/

Let me reiterate that it is quite possible that JVP, NPP, IUSF, SYU folk were among the crowd; they have been there a long time, alongside students, artists, artistes, professionals, and families, who were also there that day. 19/

In fact, as I took the Galadari bend on my way to GGG, many women and children were hiding there, sent away from the carnage, distraught and begging us to 'go quickly' to help. 20/

I have said before that I have never voted for the JVP or NPP and have not considered them serious contenders. But the rate at which these conspiracy theories are being spread is making me think they may be a bigger threat in the political landscape than previously thought. 21/

Anyway, the night is still young. Just thought I'd place this on record while I can. ✌️22/