– Hundreds of Guyanese gather at square of the revolution in protest of slain Berbice teens

CHANTING the words ‘No justice, no peace’ and ‘Black Lives Matter,’ scores of Guyanese showed up at the Square of the Revolution better known as ‘Cuffy Sqaure’, on Tuesday, to protest the brutal killings of 19-year-old Joel Henry and 16-year-old Isaiah Henry.

Beneath the scorching sun, their cries for justice were even stronger than the blaze of the sun, as they expressed their sentiments on the matter, taking a knee where a Black Lives Matter mural was recently painted at the same location.

The protest saw a mixed crowd of Guyanese of every ethnicity and age merging their voices together in a call for justice to be served on behalf of the slain teens.
One protestor, Shaquille Ramesh, in an invited comment said, “This entire situation, it needs this exposure because it’s honestly sickening and goes to show how much work we still have to do when the systems and organisations put in place has failed us.”

He added, “I think the entire system has failed two young Guyanese, two aspiring Guyanese two amazing young Guyanese, two amazing young men that could have done so much more for this country …and it’s just goes show how much racial prejudice there is.”

Jared Lewis, another youth said, “It’s time to take a stand for something, either you stand for something or fall for anything with regards for what’s going on right now, this is not just an issue with regards to race but one with regards to Guyanese as a people in a whole.”

The young man added that it’s a shame that the teenagers lost their lives so young, especially in the manner in which they did.
“We don’t know what was their potential, they probably killed the future president or prime minister, you probably killed a revolutionist, you probably killed a future historian for [our]young country, we need to put a stop to it right now, so I am here to stand, I am here for Guyanese,” Lewis said.

Oneisha Hutson, a young mother, noted that she too is mourning along with the parents especially the mothers of the slain teens.
The woman said, “Im a mother, Im a black mom of a black child and I feel as though these boys were my sons and I’m not just going to stick around and wait for something to happen and not feel like I’m contributing in any way to actually get justice.”

Meanwhile, Clinton Duncan, a youth and human rights activist, stated that he saw himself in the young men and could only imagine the pain and anguish they endured in the last moments of their young lives while they were being tortured.

“It feels like it could have been me. If I were to ask anybody out here, if they ever steal fruit from somebody else’s tree as a child or teenager it would be everybody. So literally it’s like everybody out here deserves to have that same treatment, it’s not about me it’s not about none of the people out here, it’s about making sure Guyana will not be the place that this type of thing happens and it just goes under the rug,” the young man said.
During the protest, the Guyana Chronicle also caught up with a few citizens who were clad in ‘T’-shirts bearing the names of the slain teens.
In an invited comment, Bobby David said that despite not knowing the young men personally, he felt the need to have their names seen [on T-shirts] and for their story to be told so justice can be served on their behalf.

“I stand with my fellow brothers, they have been targeted a lot over the past years, so I am here to stand among them and ask for justice.”
Meanwhile, David’s sisters, Falke and Shamariah David, who joined him in protest, stated that coming from a ‘mixed’ household it was imperative for them to come out as family to support the Number Three Village families who lost their love ones.
Shamariah David, during an invited comment said, “My reasoning for being out here is to show support to my brothers and sisters of the African descent because they face many challenges in this country and I’m working in the public service and I’ve seen them face many challenges in the country and I’m here to support them through this tragedy that they are going through.”

On Sunday evening the mutilated bodies of the two young men were found in a back dam of the Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice area by their families and public spirited citizens who led a search party after the boys went missing the Saturday.
Up to press time, some seven persons have been arrested in relation to the killings which is believed to be a hate crime.