–on 50th Death Anniversary of dedicated former employee

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday held a Commemorative Re-dedication of the Michael Forde Book Store and Internet Café on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the ‘bomb blasting’ of Michael Forde, an employee of the initial bookstore, on July 17, 1964.The ceremony was held outside the facility, located under Freedom House, the official headquarters of the PPP at Lot 41 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Highpoint of the programme was Prime Minister Samuel Hinds’ unveiling of a massive portrait of Forde, who had been killed by subversive elements at the tender age of 22.

The chairman of the proceedings noted that the Party was rededicating an important landmark in Guyana’s history, since it was exactly 50 years ago that the facility, initially the Progressive Bookstore, was renamed the

Michael Forde Bookstore after Forde had been killed by an explosive device planted in the very store.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, in his address to the gathering, recalled the gruesome events on the ill-fated morning of July 17, 1964 when, at around 10:30am. a man purporting to be a customer entered the bookstore with a neatly wrapped package in his hand, and requested a book which had cost five cents, although the bookstore sold progressive books and progressive literature.
The stranger paid for the book with a one-dollar bill, and the salesperson handed the book over to him, then proceeded to make his change, but the man, whose name was later determined to be Emmanuel Fairbain, left the package on the counter and hurried away from the scene.

After the package was detected by Michael Forde and others on duty in the store, Forde was advised to take it outside of the building. Once outside the bookstore, Forde opened up the package and the device exploded, killing him instantly.

It was a sombre moment, as a hardworking and dedicated young man had innocently lost his life in the execution of his duties.

Also in the building at the time were Mrs. Janet Jagan and others, who were on the upper floor of the building but escaped harm.

Rohee, who, from its inception, has had an abiding interest in the newly rededicated project, was actively involved in its spearheading, and worked dedicatedly to bring it to fruition.

He also gave a brief history of Freedom House, which houses the Party’s headquarters, noting that it is now at its fifth location since its establishment in 1950. The first semi-headquarters of the PPP, he said, was at Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s Dental Surgery in Charlotte Street, the location where leaders met to make important party decisions. It was later relocated to Gimpex Building on Regent Street; then, in 1953, to a small building in James Street, Albuoystown; after which it was removed to Wellington Street; then finally to an old Masonic building on Robb Street, which was purchased and refurbished. That

building, developed by the late Brindley Benn, was dubbed a House of Freedom and Struggles.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s re-dedication programme was spiced with a tribute in song by Ms. Shermaine Critchlow.

The Bookstore continues to offer for sale writings by Founder and General Secretary of the PPP, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and wife Mrs. Janet Jagan. There are also other educational works of history.

It also boasts an Internet Café with six computer stations, as well as a mini conference room equipped with lectern and a large flat-screen television.

(By Shirley Thomas)