Brutal slaying of teenagers, Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry

Commentary by Village Voice

The brutal slaughter of 17-year old Isaiah Henry and 19-year old Joel Henry, cousins, who were found in the backdam of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB) is condemned in the strongest possible term. According to family recount, the teenagers, of Number 4 Village, WCB, went to the backdam to pick coconuts. After not returning home, a Missing Person’s Report was made to the police, and following a search party their dead bodies were found.

Even if for argument it could be said those boys were stealing coconuts, their heinous and gruesome deaths are unjustified. This is a hate crime. That mark on the head was deliberate and designed to send a message. It is no different in intent to lynching in the United States and treatment meted us to our forebears during slavery and indentureship.

The Village Voice notes messages of condemnation from Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon, but particularly President Irfaan Ali, who at his swearing-in promised to be a President for all. The murder of the Henry boys is opportunity for him and the government he leads to reflect whether their revengeful politics since assuming office, and threats before, have created the conditions for those boys’ murder.

In every political environment ordinary supporters and citizens take their cues from their leaders. During the election impasse while the Coalition (APNU+AFC) leaders were repeatedly calling on their supporters and society to exercise calm and keep the peace, the opposition and other forces were taking a different approach. Leaders of the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) were threatening, stoking, and fanning the flames of intolerance and hate.

The society is charged. Some are walking on tenterhooks as others are salivating at revenge or the prospect of it.  People still remember the protest of PPP/C supporters in Bath Settlement, WCB on 6th March which turned violent. Those protestors attacked (stoned) innocent school children in their school buses on their way home from school. This is one in several attacks on police officers, nurse and others. Where the aggressors were Indians and the attacked (school children) were Africans, the racial contrast was evidence in all its languages, spoken and unspoken.

That some of these children had to seek medical attention for the physical injuries sustained, undoubtedly others, including the physically injured, will bear the psychological scars for a long period, probably the rest of their lives. Some may tell their children the stories of 6th March. Interestingly, the PPP/C never condemned the violence.

Contrast the police’s reaction on 6th March with that of Belladrum, WCB protest on 30th August. Belladrum protestors posed no physical threat to others or engaged in any attack on others yet the police’s response to clear the public road was to teargas and shoot pellet bullets, injuring some. At least one person was taken to the hospital for treatment.

President Ali must understand this is the environment he took office in and continues to function in. He has made no public denouncement nor made known he will not tolerate these acts of violence. He is being reminded of his attitude, to date, on matters of this nature is unlike his immediate predecessor former President David Granger. He also must understand his and Ministers Anil Nandlall and Robeson Benn’s condemnation will be met with skepticism by significant sections.

There will be comparison of police responses to protests under a Robeson Benn ministerial leadership and that of then Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan of the Coalition Government. Never under Mr. Ramjattan’s leadership did any section of society feel their right to protest would have been met with police violence and bloodshed.

Recent incidents have all the hallmark of racial confrontations and attacks on children. Government cannot operate like an ostrich lest they stand accused of fanning the flames and giving support to racial confrontation and race hate.

The Village Voice joins with all right-thinking people in condemning the attacks and gruesome deaths of Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry. Nothing less than a thorough probe must be conducted by the police and the appropriate charges laid and conviction secured. Justice must be served