Allan Lewis, Shemroy Bouyea, and Ron Somerset. For the slain trio, a community mourned yesterday.
Lewis, 46, was a father and his two sons, during the eulogy, said he was a hard worker who took a special interest in their upbringing. They could not hold back their tears as they recalled fond memories of the man who cared for them. They vowed to carry on his legacy.
Bouyea and Somerset were teenagers. Somberly, and in tears, a large crowd shaded by hundreds of umbrellas, gathered at the Wismar end of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge where the three were fatally shot by police during a protest on July 18 against a hike in electricity tariffs.
Shortly after 3pm yesterday, three hearses drove through the mining town to pass at the homes of the three men where large numbers of persons waited to catch a glimpse before they were interred. The funeral service was then held at the bridge with Linden’s Winston ‘Zar’ Caesar performing Bob Marley’s Redemp-tion Song to start the ceremony. Scripture readings, the eulogies and tributes flowed from emotional family and friends.
“Today we lay our brothers to rest but my people we must not rest. I remind you again that freedom is never granted by the possessors but demanded by the oppressed,” Regional Chairman, Kuice Sharma Solomon said. Opposition leader, David Granger, the AFC’s Nigel Hughes, Trade Unionist, Lincoln Lewis, WPA leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Christopher Ram, Pastor Andy McKinnon, Basil Williams, and parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon were among those who offered tributes. No government official was present.
“As we grieve, do not forget that we are here today to say to (President) Donald Ramotar’s administration, to the members of the armed forces that their violence will be met by our determination to be free from oppression, marginalization and an uncaring, brutish regime, that spawns, embraces, unleashed and protects murderers,” Solomon declared. He challenged residents to remain mobilized and be prepared to struggle as he said he is ready to continue his leadership role.
Granger promised that the PNCR will build a monument to the slain trio. “I pledge that this event will not pass, no justice no peace,” Hughes, for his part, said.
Roopnaraine said that from July 18, all Guyanese have become Lindeners. He spoke of the APNU and AFC vote of no confidence against Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. “We will not return to normalcy if normalcy is returning to poverty,” he said. Roopnaraine appealed to residents to remain disciplined and strong in the fight for justice, economic improvement and dignity.
Williams accused the government of bringing death to the door of Linden “….and it was deliberate and (we) will exert all energy to ensure justice is served. Rest assured we’ll be there working to ensure justice is service,” he said. Kissoon, meantime quoted Martin Carter’s poem “This is the dark time” as she recalled the bloody scene at the Linden Hospital Complex the night the men and several others were shot.
The trio was buried in the evening as a long motorcade escorted the caskets to the Bamia cemetery.
Passage through the blocks along the Amelia’s Ward Hill and road was tightly monitored by residents who continued to maintain roadblocks. They remained vigilant ensuring that only vehicles entering or leaving the town for the funeral were granted access. One driver complained that he was pulled out of his car and protesters pushed back the vehicle. A group of Jehovah Witnesses who were en route to Georgetown were among those denied passage. There was no sign of the police throughout the day but a few soldiers were stationed at the Kara Kara bridge.
