–Heroine of the sugar industry

THE heroic and self-less sacrifice by Kowsilla, also known as Alice, was recalled on Monday on the occasion of her 53rd Death Anniversary.
According to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Kowsilla was a humble housewife and an active member of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).
On March 06, 1964, outside the Leonora Factory gate, she squatted with striking sugar workers who were protesting against their being denied work, and at the same time highlighting their call for the recognition of GAWU.

The then General Manager of the Estate instructed a “scab”, who was driving a tractor at the time, to traverse the bridge where the workers were squatting, thereby causing Kowsilla’s death and serious injury to 14 others.
Ever since that fateful day, Kowsilla’s name and sacrifice has become known across the sugar industry, and among workers generally and other Guyanese.

A YEARLY EVENT
The commemoration is a yearly event, and she has been regarded as a heroine of sugar workers.
Monday’s activity saw scores of persons participating in a march from in the vicinity of the Leonora Government School to the Anna Catherina Cemetery where Kowsilla is interred.
At the cemetery, wreaths were laid on her tomb, and tributes were paid by GAWU General Secretary, Seepaul Narine; President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Carvil Duncan; WPO President, Indra Chandarpal; Ganga Persaud, Central Committee member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP); Randy Seecharan, member of the Groenveldt Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) Group; and Julius Faerber, Regional Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

According to GAWU, all the speakers drew attention to the current proposals being considered by the government for the sugar industry, and opined that should such proposals be adopted, there would be severe repercussions and harsh consequences for the workers and their families and the many sugar communities.