A three-member team from the government led by Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday met with family members of Isaiah and Joel Henry who were murdered over the weekend.
Prime Minister Phillips told Stabroek News last night that after spending time speaking with protestors on the road at different villages they were able to meet with the family.
Phillips, who was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Minister of Human Services and Social Protection Dr Vindhya Persaud, was met with rejection from the protestors.
In a video footage seen by this newspaper, protestors in the neighbouring villages informed the representatives that they were not welcome.
According to Phillips after much discourse with residents, they were able to meet with the families of the slain teenagers.
Phillips said he and his team walked approximately a mile through a crowd of protestors, speaking with them, before they were able to meet with the families.
He explained that the families were given all assurance that the government will ensure that no stone is left unturned in the investigation process and those culpable will be brought to justice.
The Prime Minister said that they also pleaded with protestors to desist from blocking the roads.
During the walk through the crowd, Phillips, a former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, was heard in the video telling members of the army to desist from using any force.
Phillips noted that the joint services have been removing debris from the roadway all day but as soon as they remove the blockage and leave the area, the residents return with fresh materials to block the road.
Residents of Calcutta, Mahaicony and Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, yesterday joined in the demonstrations across Region Five calling for justice for the Henry boys.
The demonstrations created a tense atmosphere in neighbouring villages and drove fear into those travelling on the highway. Many were unable to pass the barricades set across the road by protestors. Reports also stated that some persons were attacked by protestors at Calcutta.
As Stabroek News ventured into the area, residents and police were observed warning persons to desist from venturing into Calcutta. One rank at Mahaica after enquiring from this newspaper its destination, advised the reporters to not venture any further, given the situation.
In the community of Recess, which borders Calcutta on the west, residents lined the road and signalled vehicles to not proceed further. A resident from the community told this newspaper “Don’t go so, they are throwing bicycle and pull people out of their vehicle and damaging the vehicles.”
The woman explained that the protest in the community erupted yesterday morning and calmed down for a short while during the police’s presence on the ground. However, after the police left the area, residents went onto the road and began harassing travellers.
On taxi operator, Lloyd (only name given), who was traveling to Berbice told Stabroek News that he was only spared of harassment after two of his ex-colleagues from the army identified him as a friend.
“It is terrible. It is not safe for anybody. They dash a table in front of my car and if it was not for my friends from army days I might have been hurt… they had to tell them stop,” he recounted.
The taxi driver said after he was allowed to pass, he turned around and headed back to Georgetown.
Meanwhile, an advance car from the presidential guard was attacked yesterday, Head of the Presidential Guard, Assistant Commissioner Edgar Thomas confirmed to Stabroek News.
The car was on a routine reconnaissance assignment prior to President Irfaan Ali’s planned trip to the area. His visit was aborted after the advance car was attacked and a mirror broken.
At Ann’s Grove on the East Coast, for most of the day, protests remained peaceful under the supervision of the police. However, just around 2pm the protest escalated and residents began blocking the road. Despite police pleas to desist, the residents placed a wooden utility pole along with other debris across the road forcing traffic to be diverted through the community.
Yesterday afternoon persons reported that they were attacked and forced to find alternative routes before being able to get home.
One man who asked not to be named, recounted that the protestors were assaulting random persons and he was close to being pulled out from his vehicle.
He observed that in another car, an individual beat the driver before running away, while someone pelted the car that was in front of him.
The young man stated that the army had to create a pathway to allow them to pass safely.
“What I just experienced really ain’t it. Violent protests and violent attacks are not the same. If you want to attack people, don’t say you are doing it for the Henry boys. Don’t associate those souls with that. If you want justice for yourselves do that but not for those boys,” the man declared.
