Latest update April 28th, 2024 1:33 AM
Aug 02, 2012 News
Hundreds gathered yesterday in the shadows of the 1763 Monument at the Square of the Revolution in the city to pay their respects to the three men who were shot and killed at Linden during a protest staged over electricity tariff hikes in the mining town.
The Square of the Revolution was the site chosen to commence what would eventually be an entire day of solemn observances which would conclude in Linden.
African drumming, passionate speeches from various members of the joint opposition, and finally a viewing of the bodies served somewhat as a funeral service for those who were unable to travel to Linden for the official ceremony and final rites.
Present at the Square of the Revolution were numerous Lindeners who were also injured during the shooting. One victim, Michael Roberts, recounted his experience to the large gathering. He eloquently recalled the incident that almost ended fatally for him. The man, who gave his alias as “Culture Man” disclosed that he was shot in the jaw and the bullet exited through his mouth. The description brought a gasp from the crowd.
The proceedings were cheered by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Lurlene Nestor.
Speeches and condolences were offered by Opposition Leader David Granger, Dr. David Hinds, Basil Williams, Nigel Hughes, Moses Nagamootoo and Fredrick Kissoon.
Granger in his address asserted that the day was not one that should facilitate politics or talks about the hike in electricity tariffs. “It is a day to mourn the death of our slain brothers.”
He urged for the day to also be peaceful and for the crowd to acknowledge Emancipation Day while focusing on the country’s loss.
David Hinds encouraged the gathering to become organized. He expressed the notion that “if organized, the masses can achieve way more and will be well on their way towards justice.” Hinds said that for that to be achieved, “all must be involved” even the churches; and together “we will fight for our rights.”
Alliance For Change executive member Moses Nagamootoo excited the crowd as he delivered his remarks. He was adamant that the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee “must go,” to which those gathered roared their approval. He cited previous incidents of failure on Rohee’s behalf which included the December 6, incident where a number of protesters were shot with rubber bullets
during a “peaceful” protest. Among these were a number of APNU executives including Attorney at Law James Bond, Lurlene Nestor and former army Chief Edward Collins.
Nagamootoo reminded the gathering of the Enmore Martyrs who lost their lives in the fight for better working conditions. He said that the dead Linden trio must also be remembered in that way “as martyrs.”
Attorney at Law and AFC executive Nigel Hughes charged the gathering not to give up the fight until justice is served.
Hughes alluded to an old song composed and performed by Peter Tosh which included the lines “everyone is crying out for peace, but none of them are crying out for justice….I don’t want no peace, I need equal rights and justice.”
The prominent attorney said that on Guyana’s road to its final destination, “we must stop at a place called justice without this we can go nowhere.”
Hughes emphasized that for far too long Guyanese have been sitting and taking too much from the seemingly callous government and it is “time for us to take a stand”.
Social activist Frederick Kissoon received the most energetic responses during his 10-minute delivery. He focused mainly on the importance of not allowing the deaths of the three men to go in vain.
As the bodies arrived, there was a rush to view the remains. The three white coffins were almost pushed off of their trolleys.
Even the politicians’ calls for order, at the initial arrival of the body, were of no avail. Eventually, an orderly procedure for viewing was put into place as Mayor Hamilton Green took the microphone and provided guidance.
The deceased were all dressed in red and black. The coffins were placed under a large tent.
Quite a few Buxtonians also gathered and erected a banner to show that Buxton is in solidarity with Linden. Also present with a banner of sympathy was Red Thread.
There was a vast presence of politicians from the Joint Opposition. However no government official was present.
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