By Devina Samaroo, Gomatie Gangadin and Hema Ramcharran
The grieving father of the dead man pays his respects to his fallen son at his home
Family, friends, the general public and politicians on Thursday paid their last respects to former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer Courtney Crum-Ewing, who was shot and killed last week while urging residents of Third Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara to vote out the current PPP/C Government from office on May 11th.
Though his funeral was virtually taken over by politicians, Crum-Ewing, who was hailed as a man of peace and a passionate advocate for social justice, got a dignified send-off, which started at his home, then proceeded to Parade Ground, then to the Heavenly Light Church in Albouystown and later his final resting place – Le Repentir Cemetery.
The overwhelming call from those who paid tribute was for peace to prevail and that no one should be provoked into retaliation. The calls for “no retaliation” had started directly after the murder with the assumption that the killing was “politically motivated”, even though there has been no evidence produced up to now to lead to that conclusion. But it was evident from the comments, especially from the politicians, that this was still the dominant presumed motive. Police have since announced making some headway in their investigations and have also called on all citizens to avoid racial incitement in this period.
At his residence, a small gathering of about 60 people stood in a sombre atmosphere as they each took turns to view his body at rest. Crum-Ewing was clad in a black suit with the Guyana flag draped over his coffin. His body remained at his home for viewing until 11:30h, after which the funeral procession made its way to Parade Ground, Georgetown for another viewing. His parents were too distressed to speak to this publication, as they struggled to hold back the tears, accepting the many messages of condolences they received.
At the Parade Ground, the Opposition politicians had a field day with many of them using the event to muster up political support for their coalition at the upcoming elections, as Crum-Ewing’s family laid their emotions bare as a consequence of their loss. It was high drama as tributes were delivered from a line-up of activists and other officials. They included: Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, Columnist Freddie Kissoon, Mark Benschop, women’s rights activist Dawn Stewart-Lyken, Guyana Bar Association President Ronald Burch-Smith, and People’s National Congress Reform Youth group Chairman Ryan Belgrave.
Addressing the large gathering, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green stated that Crum-Ewing should be regarded as a “hero and a martyr”. According to Green, Crum-Ewing’s death should not be in vain and had a lesson for all, while telling the audience that they have a part to play in ensuring that Crum-Ewing’s death does not become another statistic in the country.
Courtney’s block
“You have things to do. His last words he spoke on his bullhorn was that you must vote, vote APNU- AFC and if all of us here if we have come to share our love to Courtney, we must remember his final words,” he told the crowd. Alluding directly to the assumed “political” motivation for the killing, he noted that while the “evil forces have been at work over the past weeks”, no one should be tempted to retaliate in kind but rather with their votes at the upcoming polls. He declared that by the power vested in him as Mayor, he would be naming the block on which Crum-Ewing protested for 80-plus days as “Courtney’s Block”, while he would push to have a monument erected at the Parade Ground in honour of Crum-Ewing.
QC alumnus
African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) Executive Director, Dr Eric Phillips, who gave a tribute on behalf of Queen’s College alumni, while reflecting on the school life of Crum-Ewing, told the gathering that he was an exemplary student who always sought to excel in everything he did, particularly in the area of sport. Dr Phillips said that the QC alumni will also be pushing for a monument of the deceased man to be erected at the Ground.
From the Parade Ground, the huge funeral procession marched down Camp Street on their way to Albouystown. As they passed, schoolchildren and shoppers in the city took careful note. Cars tooted their horns and music blared from music carts in the 45 minutes long march from Middle Street to Albouystown.
Church service
At the Heavenly Light Full Gospel Church, Cooper Street, Albouystown, tributes also poured in for the man who grabbed the public’s attention some months ago as he undertook a one-man protest outside the Legal Affairs Ministry calling for the resignation of Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall after the taped conversation between the Minister and Kaieteur News Reporter Leonard Gildharie went viral.
Opposition Leader David Granger, in his address to the mourners, expressed his condolences to the family, relatives and friends on behalf of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.
He noted that Crum-Ewing was seen as a peacemaker since he employed lawful means to try to bring about change he wanted to see in the country. “He left the comfort of his home on the night and proceeded on the one-man crusade and appealing to the public about his concerns and the betterment of the country…Crum-Ewing was truly an honourable man,” he said.
Granger promised the family and friends of the slain man that he would ensure that the culprits were caught and that justice was served.
AFC Chairman and Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes while expressing his deep condolences to the family noted that while many were angry and hurt, no one should be provoked to engage in any unlawful and disorderly behaviour.
The parents of the dead man, in brief remarks, expressed their gratitude for the endless support which they have been given while they appealed for his death not to go down in vain but that it should always live on in the history of the land as the beginning of change.
Crum-Ewing was conducting his campaign in the Diamond Housing Scheme at around 20:00h when a car with four men drove up behind him and discharged several shots in his direction and subsequently fled the scene. Crum-Ewing was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
