THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has honoured the memories of Michael Forde and the Ballot Box Martyrs during separate commemorative ceremonies held this week, paying tribute to individuals the party says made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of democracy and the party’s ideals.
According to the PPP, Forde lost his life while attempting to remove a bomb allegedly planted by a People’s National Congress (PNC) agent at the Freedom House bookstore on Robb Street
On Friday, party members, officials and supporters gathered for a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 62nd anniversary of the death of Michael Forde, who died on July 17, 1964.
According to the PPP, Forde lost his life while attempting to remove a bomb allegedly planted by a People’s National Congress (PNC) agent at the Freedom House bookstore on Robb Street.
The party said Forde’s actions saved the lives of several PPP leaders who were inside the building at the time.
Tributes were delivered by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo’s representative Neil Kumar, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Seepaul Narine, and other party officials.
The PPP noted that Forde was only 22 years old when he made the decision to intervene.
“Michael was not just a worker at the bookshop; he was also an active member of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO). His actions on that day reflect the commitment and courage of many young people who stood up for what they believed in,” the party said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
In recognition of his sacrifice, the Progressive Bookshop was renamed in his honour.
The PPP held a remembrance service at the burial site of the Ballot Box Martyrs in Number 66 Village, Corentyne
A day earlier, on Thursday, the PPP held a remembrance service at the burial site of the Ballot Box Martyrs in Number 66 Village, Corentyne, to mark the 53rd anniversary of the deaths of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand.
The party recalled that on Election Day, July 16, 1973, Ramessar and Parmanand were among a crowd gathered outside a polling station at Number 63 Village, Corentyne, protesting the removal of ballot boxes from the polling place at the close of voting.
According to the PPP, the protesters demanded that ballots be counted at the place of poll before being transported elsewhere. During the protest, Ramessar and Parmanand were shot and killed by members of the Guyana Defence Force.
The annual observances, the Party said, serve as a reminder of those who lost their lives during pivotal moments in Guyana’s political history, and reaffirm its commitment to preserving their legacy.
