FRIENDS and supporters of Courtney Crum-Ewing a revolutionary, executed one year ago, in a senseless and unprovoked drive-by shooting on the Diamond Public Road, yesterday joined the bereaved relatives of the victim in a midday vigil at the corner of Middle and Carmichael Streets.

And throughout the vigil, the message that resonated powerfully was the ‘slothfulness of the justice system,’ with calls for swift action to be taken to have justice served. However, there was consensus that, with the recent change of government, they could expect that Courtney’s life did not go down in vain.
At the time he was shot, Crum-Ewing was staging a one-man protest at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, calling on residents to come out and vote for a change in the May 11, 2015 general elections.
The spot used for the vigil – a short distance away from the Attorney General’s Chamber, was the spot at which Crum-Ewing, a no-nonsense revolutionary and freedom fighter, would, from time to time wage his one-man picket demonstration in protest against matters he perceived needed ‘fixing’ under the former Attorney General.
Representing Crum-Ewing’s family was: his mother, Mrs. Donna Harcourt; step-father, Eustace Harcourt; sister Althea Crum-Ewing and brother Dwayne Crum-Ewing. At the vigil they had the moral support of a gathering, which included Local Government candidates Mark Benschop, Malcolm De Freitas, Dr. Dawn Stewart, Brentnol Holder, Michelle Scotland and many others
Crum Ewing’s grieving mother, noting that Friday marked the first anniversary since her son was brutally gunned down on the Diamond Public Road, on March 10, 2015, she was hoping that the vigil would keep the issue alive and that justice would be speedily served.
Convinced that the justice system was now better than it was months down the line, she asserted: “We know that the police are trying; they are doing their best and I hope they succeed speedily.”
She painfully recalled that Courtney was the eldest of her three children and that he was the father of three children aged 14, 13 and 4 years’ old. With the children all being minors, the burden of their upkeep was understandably heavy on those now responsible for their upkeep. All is not well, Donna said, but added that, together with the surviving parent, they were trying their very best. She is hoping that something could be done to bring relief to this difficult situation.
She is hopeful that the government would put something in place to help the situation. “Either give money or give us work, because we have contracting businesses and if we get jobs we would better be able to help,” the grandmother reasoned.
Meanwhile, Courtney’s step-father, Eustace Harcourt said they were trying to cope with the situation. Considering that it was now one year since the man’s death and nothing tangible had as yet happened, he was inclined to think that the justice system was too slow. However, he was grateful for the change of government, adding that there was hope that justice would be served.
Meanwhile, Courtney’s sister and brother were very emotional and related what a wonderful brother he was to them, how deeply the pain of his death penetrated and that they would ever overcome the loss. Althea , recalling that her brother died on a Tuesday night, said that from that time, she weeps every Tuesday night.
Candidate Mark Benschop: I am here to show solidarity for this situation – the assassination of Crum Ewing; to show my support for his family as I’ve always been doing from day one and I think that an injustice is continuing to be done. With regards to this case, those who were in authority, in terms of conducting the investigation, that is, should ensure that this thing here [the vigil] intensifies.
Candidate Brentnol Holder: I will lay blame on the previous administration for failing to get to the bottom of this killing before demitting office. Until today no one has been charged or arrested. The present government is now in shambles, because all the evidence has been destroyed. And we the people, supporters of Crum-Ewing are fighting for freedom, justice and equality for this nation. I am going to stand up, if it costs me my blood, I am willing to stand up to see justice for Crum–Ewing.
Candidate Dr. Dawn Stewart:
“I think it is important that we seek justice for the killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing. I think it is a shame that it has been one year and there has been no resolution as to what has happened. I think the Guyanese people must demand that there is justice for him, along with many others who have been killed, or appeared to have been murdered. Until the investigation is finished, we don’t exactly know what happened. But I think that the justice system needs some reform to allow for speedy trials.”
Malcolm De Freitas (Independent Candidate): Of Courtney Crum Ewing, he said, “One man spoke up [against wrong doings] when others did not have the courage to do so. We need an open space to celebrate and respect this political martyr that we have got in this country. I am hoping that in the next investiture ceremony that we pay honour to this man. Not only honour to his life, but honour to the principle of what he was fighting for. He was fighting for a clear position in relation to having a clean government.”
Michelle Scotland: “I am here to press demands for Crum-Ewing to get justice, because I think he deserves justice. As for me, the system at the Court is too slow and that is a system that has been going on for years and I know that soon it will be changed, so in the meantime, we continue to call for justice.”