| The rains threatened and then the sun came out with a vengeance but nothing deterred the thousands who descended yesterday on Independence Park to say farewell to assassinated activist Courtney Crum-Ewing.Pandemonium erupted when the casket was opened and it was some time before order was restored as relatives, friends and scores, angered by the killing, fought to view the remains of the person they now consider the fallen hero.Libation was poured in remembrance of the slaves who were executed at that very ground in the now famous 1823 rebellion. It was fitting that Courtney visited there for the last time.As the water fell, chants of “Ashay! Ashay! Ashay!” filled the air. In Yoruba, it means “farewell”.Several public speakers then took to the podium, lambasting the Government and police for what they perceived as a stalled investigation into the fallen activist’s death. The message was clear… Guyanese must vote on May 11 with Courtney Crum-Ewing in their heart.Notably absent, at both Independence Park and at the church, were any representatives from the Government or the ruling party. However, there were several Opposition officials, including former Members of Parliament Joe Harmon, Jaipaul Sharma and Vanessa Kissoon.Crum-Ewing, a former student of Queen’s College who excelled in sports, and a former soldier,China NFL Jerseys, was killed on the evening of March 10 in the upscale section of New Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.He was using a bullhorn to encourage residents to vote for the Opposition. He was shot dead, three bullets to head and left lying in Third Avenue, in the darkness with his bullhorn a short distance away.The killing shocked Guyana.Crum-Ewing made headlines last year after he staged a one-man protest for 80 days in front of the offices of the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, following revelations of an explosive taped conversation between that official and a senior reporter of Kaieteur News. The newspaper was threatened and Crum-Ewing signaled his intentions to protest until actions were taken against Nandlall.Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green extolled the crowd to leave Independence Park knowing that they had a job to do.“The enemies of democracy and decency have for the past months tried to tempt us into violence. But we will not be tempted to play the game the way they want us to play.”The Mayor revealed that earlier when he had granted permission for the service to be held at Independence Park, Town Clerk (Ag) Carol Sooba had tried to block him.“We must understand the relation between meeting here and Courtney. This ground is sacred and any nincompoop who tells us we can’t be here, let them come and move us!” he declared to thunderous applause.“We paid libation and we have the support of our ancestors on this ground in 1823 and there could be no more appropriate place to meet to say this final farewell. Less than 200 years ago the plantocracy had the slaves tried and executed.”“They had them brought here; decapitated and planted their heads on posts around this sacred ground and no one must ever tell us we can’t meet here. That blood was shed with the same mentality that brought those guns to remove Courtney from this earth. But his memory, his work must never die!”“His flesh is gone, but his spirit will give us the energy and the purpose to rid this country of this evil empire!”Kaieteur News, Publisher, Glenn Lall, also took to the stage and threw down the gauntlet to Crum-Ewing’s killers, stating that as long as there was no justice for Crum-Ewing, the newspaper would always fight for the assassins to be brought to justice.“Someone once told me never to forget three types of people. Those who helped you… those who put you in trouble… and those who leave you in trouble. Courtney helped us in our time of need. He was there holding a placard shouting for justice when our Attorney General threatened violence on Kaieteur News staff.”“He took the protest to the DPP chambers and stood there alone,NFL Jerseys Outlet, shouting for justice. We marched side by side when I met Courtney for the first time. I sensed his passion.”He said that everywhere he went, people would shake his hands and whisper in his ear.“No more can we talk to each other. Two gunmen stormed the office of (Charlie Hebdo in France), killed the publisher and 11 others. It was the second attack. The first time it was bombed. When the publisher was asked, he said he will clean up and continue. He went on to say I rather die standing than live on my knees.”He asked whether the bullhorn used by Courtney was a weapon.“Was he poking fun? No! All he stood up for were his rights in a democratic society and he lost his life. On behalf of myself, family and staff, we offer our deepest sympathies.”His message was clear. “I am Courtney! We are Courtney! Courtney walked the walk. And he talked the talk. His voice was heard loud and clear. I am Courtney!”Social activist and newspaper columnist, Freddie Kissoon, who has been attacked in the past for his work was critical of that fact that he is now fearful to be out of his home late.Quoting Roman General Mark Anthony, he intoned “Anthony once said I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do will live on after them. Well I reverse that. I come to praise Courtney,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, not to bury him. His greatness will live long after him! On the picket line (after assassination) Courtney was alive.”He said that he will break his practice of not drinking alcohol on May 12,Cheap NFL Jerseys Stitched, one day after elections are scheduled.“Come May 12, I will have a drink in front of the Ministry of Legal affairs and I will toast to a bright future that Courtney helped build.”President of the Bar Association, Ronald Burch-Smith, also stepped forward. Pointing at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, he called the actions of the Attorney General a national disgrace.Mark Benchshop also took the podium by public demand and likened his five years of incarceration for treason to what the killed activist would have experienced.Crum-Ewing’s father, Clifford, also addressed the milling crowd, expressing thanks to everyone who supported them in their bereavement and took up Crum-Ewing’s fight.The very bullhorn Crum-Ewing was using when he was gunned down was placed on top of the coffin, which was draped in the flag of Guyana. The symbolism was implicit… that the struggle continued.As the crowds grew,NFL Jerseys China, the body was eventually moved to the Heavenly Light Full Gospel Church at Cooper Street,Cheap NHL Jerseys, Albouystown. The street itself was clogged tight with crowds, shutting down traffic from the south.Several key public figures paid tribute to the anti-corruption advocate, hailing his courage for protesting on his own for days.Alliance For Change (AFC) executive member, Nigel Hughes, who himself represented Crum-Ewing in court after he was accused of ‘breaching the peace’ when he used the toilet in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, spoke of the need to continue the struggle. He held up a bullhorn to emphasize his message.“In his life, his enemies did not possess the courage to face him. I represented him five times (in court) and on none of those days did they have the decency to show up in court. And because they couldn’t face him, they shot him from the back. But I tell them, the world is too small for any of them to hide!”Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh addressed the crowd, hailing Crum-Ewing as a maverick who took orders from no one, but recognized that an injustice was done and rather than pay lip service, went out and made his feelings known, regardless if anyone accompanied him.A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger also paid tribute to the fallen hero, asking the pertinent question of how was it possible for a man to be gunned in his own neighborhood and no one can stop it or bring the killers to justice.He referred to the killing as the highest manifestation of political intolerance existing in society.“What sort of life or police force can this government promise its citizens, when its police force cannot protect its citizens?”So far the police remain silent on the progress they have made with their investigations, creating further anxiety for a public desperate for answers.Apart from reports that the police had detained two young men for questioning, nothing new has been forthcoming and from all indications, the investigation appears to be going nowhere. |
