Defend Democracy: Take On Guyana's President & His Lawyer

Story (The "Why"):

My name is Mark Jacobs, and as Press Officer for the Guyana Anti-Corruption Network (GACN), I am being silenced for speaking truth to power. I am currently engaging legal counsel to initiate formal legal proceedings against President Irfaan Ali and his attorney, Selwyn Andrew Pieters, for a coordinated campaign of legal harassment.

This battle began when baseless copyright infringement claims were filed against me. The claims were false: a photograph of President Ali, taken by Royal Family Chief Photographer Aaron Chown in the UK and properly credited, was used to file complaints with Facebook. Any competent lawyer knows that simply being the subject of a photo does not grant copyright ownership. Mr. Pieters, on behalf of the President, has filed numerous other bogus complaints against me alleging copyright ownership of images of the President in his official capacity. As a result, Facebook permanently demonetized our account, cutting off all potential online income and donations to our anti-corruption efforts.

This is not an isolated incident. We are seeing a pattern of legal aggression:

· The Copyright Campaign: Baseless complaints leading to financial ruin.

· The Defamation Suit: Pieters is representing the President's mother in a CAD$15 million lawsuit.

· The Libel Threat: A $100 million libel lawsuit filed by the Attorney General against a journalist.

This is lawfare, pure and simple. They are using the courts to cripple critics financially.

Why This Lawsuit Is Historic—And Why It Matters

This case is unprecedented in Guyana's history. For the first time, a sitting President and his personal lawyer are being taken to court by a private citizen for using legal mechanisms to suppress free speech and financially destroy a critic.

In Guyana, the powerful have long operated with impunity. Presidents, ministers, and their legal representatives have wielded defamation suits, copyright claims, and other legal weapons to silence journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens who dare to speak out. But no one has ever fought back—until now.

This lawsuit represents a breaking point. It says that no one, not even the highest office in the land, is above the law. It challenges the culture of intimidation that has stifled free expression in Guyana for decades. By holding President Ali and his lawyer accountable in a court of law—in Canada, where these abuses have been orchestrated—we are sending a message that Guyanese citizens have rights that transcend borders.

This is not just about me. This is about every journalist who has been threatened, every activist who has been sued into silence, and every Guyanese citizen who has been afraid to speak their mind. If we win, it will set a legal precedent that could protect countless others from similar harassment.

We are standing up so that others won't have to stand alone. That is why this fight matters.

How the Funds Will Be Used:

This is a David vs. Goliath fight. We are seeking substantial financial damages to stop this behavior, but first, we need to get into the courtroom. Your donations will go directly toward:

1. Legal Retainers: Securing top legal counsel to file the case and represent us in court. In Canada, experienced litigation lawyers typically charge $250 to $600 per hour, with top-tier Toronto lawyers exceeding $800 per hour. Most firms require a significant retainer deposit upfront.

2. Litigation Costs: Discovery, filing fees, and expert witness testimony. Civil litigation is expensive—data from Western Canada shows that a five-day trial can cost over $80,000 in legal fees, and a seven-day trial can exceed $100,000. Court filing fees alone can run $500 to $1,000 just to initiate a case in a higher court.

3. Advocacy Support: Ensuring we can continue to document and expose these abuses of power without financial collapse.

We intend to pursue damages that will not only compensate for our lost income but also send an unmistakable message that this pattern of lawfare will not be tolerated.

Risks and Challenges:

We are taking on the highest office in the land and their legal team. They will fight this with every resource available to them. However, we believe in the rule of law and that no one is above it. Let's join hands together to win this battle.

Join us. Let's show that you cannot buy justice or silence the truth.