By Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Esq.
Aminta Kilawan-Narine is an attorney, community activist, and organizer. She is the founder and director of South Queens Women’s March, an organization working to promote equity and empowerment among South Queens’ diverse women, girls and gender fluid people, and the co-founder of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, an organization committed to promoting social justice through the values at the heart of the Hindu faith.
On December 24, 2020, Ritawantee (Rita) Persaud, a popular Indo-Caribbean vocalist and beloved devotee of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir in Jamaica, Queens was killed by a hit-and-run driver who has not yet been apprehended. It has been over 10 days since the tragic accident.
Persaud, who was 54 years old, was just a few blocks from her Ozone Park home sitting in the back of an Uber, a black Toyota Camry, when the 50-year-old driver of the vehicle made a left on Rockaway Boulevard and 103rd Avenue and was hit by a man driving a Lamborghini Urus SUV joined by a passenger at approximately 7:05pm on Thursday. The Uber driver was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with injuries, and was subsequently listed in stable condition. The Lamborghini passenger was also taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. The driver of the Lamborghini fled the scene on foot. Marijuana was reportedly found in the Lamborghini.
The fatal accident occurred just steps away from the Church of The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary on Christmas Eve night. The reckless act of this individual caused the death of a community staple and has devastated Hindu Indo-Caribbeans the world over. Each night since Persaud’s passing, at least 800 individuals have joined virtual wakes in her honor. Over 2100 people tuned in to join Persaud’s funeral proceedings. On January 2, 2020, a rally was held to call for #JusticeForRitaPersaud in front of the 102nd Police Precinct. The precinct is among those investigating Persaud’s case.
As Persaud’s family and the community grieves, Persaud’s killer remains at large. In a statement provided by Rita’s bereaved family, they indicated that “The overwhelming grief in the community is testimony of the life of selfless service that Rita lived in the last 54 years.” They further stated: “The perpetrators of this senseless death of Rita must be apprehended and brought to justice as soon as possible. We are imploring the District Attorney and all law enforcement to utilize their power and ensure justice is served. We are also calling on anyone with information about the identity of the missing driver to share with law enforcement. “
Persaud was born in Guyana and migrated to New York City in 1999. Upon her migration, she immediately found broad-based acceptance in the West Indian Hindu community. “While she spent her days as an accountant, all of her evenings and weekends were spent in the Hindu community doing seva (service projects),” said her family.
During her funeral proceedings, Persaud’s nephew Kevin Persaud said, “I will miss your voice and the stain of red lipstick you left on every mic you graced. I’ll miss that look you give when someone is out of line especially when that look is towards me. Most of all, I will miss your laughter, that can be heard from the Van Wyck all the way to Crossbay Boulevard and beyond.” Pandit Yoganand Ramnarain said at her viewing, “She did not become a leader. She was born a leader. She was Shabari [from the Hindu scripture the Ramayan] in a young woman’s body.”
Persaud leaves behind her 25-year-old niece Darshanie whom she lived with, as well as her brothers Glen, Jaio and Deochand, and her nephew Danesh.
Persaud was a staple to her temple community at the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. Pandit Manoj Jadubans, spiritual leader of the temple, said: “She was my not my sister by birth but a sister through our love and commitment for our religion, community and the youth. Her tragic death has impacted many but the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir will definitely be impacted hard.” He continued by saying, “This has been a devastating loss and it would be unjust not to apprehend the person that was responsible for this … crime. It is very important that together we do not rest until the driver is found. The great Lord knows and what is in the dark will eventually come to light as Rita was the light to many.”
Persaud was a leader of the temple’s Naujawaan Mandalee Youth Group and touched the lives of countless youth the world over, both in her time in Guyana and in the U.S. At the rally on January 2 calling for justice for Persaud, Brianna Persaud, Persaud’s niece and a member of the Naujawaan Mandalee Youth Group, read a statement on behalf of the group, joined by her brother Kevin Persaud and fellow youth group member Uma Paras. “Aside from being an unparalleled musician in our community, she was an inimitable humanitarian, and an affectionate mother, aunt, friend, sibling, daughter, employee, co-worker and devotee. This is what was taken away from us, not some lady with one role BUT a striking soul that played roles, leaving a mark on every relation.” The statement further said, “To think that the monster responsible for this is running around scot free is disgusting. Justice needs to be served, to discourage the idea that people like this can continue to make bad/poor life choices and get away with it at the expense of the safety and lives of others.”
Several elected officials attended the rally, denouncing the crime and expressed the urgency of apprehending the individual responsible for taking Persaud’s life, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Member Adrienne Adams of District 28, where Shaanti Bhavan Mandir is located, Council Member Eric Ulrich of District 32, where the accident occurred, and District Leader Richard David. At least 100 community members, including youth, were present and holding signs with Persaud’s photo calling for justice. Community leaders spanning generations also publicly called for the NYPD to move quicker and allocate additional resources to finding Persaud’s killer.
If you have any information on the driver of the Lamborghini that took the life of Rita Persaud, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit nypdcrimestoppers.com. You can also write directly to Aminta Kilawan-Narine at ackilawan@gmail.com