Shonnette Adams, the mother of slain teen Shaquille Grant, has denied that she was the force behind the October 11 protest action in Agricola that resulted in the blocking of the main road, leading to persons being stranded and some robbed as they awaited the end of the conflict.
“I didn’t know that there was anything going on until about five in the afternoon,” Adams told this newspaper, while adding that she was in the court for most of the day.
“During the afternoon [after I was finished with my business in town], I got a call to say Agricola road on fire. I said Agricola road cannot be on fire,” she said.
Adams related that she attempted to get home but because of the traffic build up by that time, she had to walk. She said that she made it to Agricola into the evening as it dusked.
“When I got there I saw police officers with riot shields and a whole lot of people on the road-front,” she said. “I could have given account for all of the people who were with me,” she added. “I went and I started to talk to people and told them to come off the road… it is not until the following morning that somebody called me to say persons were robbed. I did not believe this,” she recounted.
Grant was shot to death and another friend Romel Bollers, 19, was wounded by police gunfire in a raid in Agricola on September 11, 2012. Three policemen were charged and while one of them – Terrence Wallace – made a court appearance, police issued wanted bulletins for the other two – Warren Blue and Jamal Lewis.
Adams also bemoans the fact that people were robbed and said that while she is sorry that this happened, she only learnt of it the morning of October 12. She vehemently denied organising any protest.
Adams said that on the morning of October 11, upon learning that one of the officers charged with the death of her son was going to appear in court, she and supporters from the community decided to go to the court.
“I can’t remember exactly what time but when they did bring Constable Wallace he was in the front seat of the prison vehicle. At the time we didn’t know it was him because nobody knew him. He then looked at the crowd and laughed and held up a jersey to block his face,” she said.
“We were wondering why he is not being treated like a prisoner. I was disappointed because I remember when I went to the Ministry of Home Affairs to see [Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee], who although I did not see him sent a message that justice will be done…,” she said.
She said that afterwards she and others were able to go into the courtroom. “When we went back outside the officer who was driving the police vehicle said to some of the supporters on the other side of the vehicle, ‘y’all ain’t gon get no justice,’” she said.
According to Adams, at that point she demanded that the officer be put at the back of the vehicle and she said that she threw herself in front of the vehicle. “Let them drive over me…I am not moving. I said Wallace need to be treated like a prisoner and he is not going to the front of this vehicle,” she said.
“I want to know coming from a mother… how many other mothers feeling for other people’s children? This is not about politics but how many women in the PPP feeling for other people’s children?” she asked.
‘Ready to rumble’
She said that with regard to statements made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon prior to the protest, it was a message via cell phone that alerted her and the others to what was said. “My point is… you are dealing with Guyanese people. You are a part of the government running this country. You can’t come out and make statements like that,” she said.
“That is not no manslaughter. That is murder. That is execution in broad daylight. So, when Dr Luncheon come out and say he ‘ready to rumble,’ that would make anybody get angry. You’re hurting. Wallace is a prisoner and they are not treating him as such. This is not a cherry this man thief. This is not a purse he snatch from somebody. This is somebody life. He was a part of a group of men who execute Shaquille,” she said.
Adams also rejected statements by members of the government that the Alliance For Change (AFC) paid persons in the community to protest and cause mayhem. “I told some of the villagers don’t let nobody come and tell y’all about protesting. People saying we were paid by the AFC to protest… nothing of the sort!” she said.
Adams added that she thought the television appearances by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and presidential advisor Gail Teixeira on the night of the mayhem reeked of disrespect for the people of Agricola.
“What we need to do is stand united regardless of race. It might be at my door today and somebody else’s tomorrow,” she said. “People asking me why I am not crying… I don’t need to cry, I know God is on my side and at the end of the day justice will be served,” Adams said.