The Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, has called for an already aggrieved Guyanese nation to observe two days of mourning for the loss of the two boys-Joel and Isaiah Henry, who were brutally hacked to death in West Coast Berbice. In a statement, Harmon said, “I call on all Guyanese to observe two days of mourning tomorrow, Tuesday September 8th and Wednesday September 9th. This is an unspeakable crime that has left the nation outraged and in a state of shock. The tears and emotions which I have seen in the past 24hrs from all segments of our society speak to the inhume and barbaric nature of these crime which has shaken the soul of the country.” On Monday, Harmon along with leader of the PNCR and former President David Granger visited the families of the two boys and expressed their condolences while committing to assist with funeral expenses. In expressing his emotions, Harmon said he was horrified by the senseless and barbaric killings of two youths heinously cut down in the prime of their youth. “We share the deep grief, pain and anguish of the families and relatives,” he said. The Opposition he said, demands that the Guyana Police Force spare no effort or resources in conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation without any delay and arrest all perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice. The Opposition also calls on members of the public to play their role in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Harmon said that the Opposition will continue to monitor the actions of the Guyana Police Force and the conduct of its senior members, especially those who continue to be complicit in the politicization of the Force. “We will not tolerate such conduct by the police and will continue to monitor them closely as they investigate this heinous crime and their conduct otherwise.”
President Granger for his part said there must be justice for the Henry boys. Granger who was given a warm welcome by residents said he understands their hurt and grief. “The police must be protective of all of the people of Guyana and people must be able to walk freely in any part of the country.
“This is the worst case of not protecting our citizens, and I ask you to continue to give support to the families and continue to bring pressure against this government to make sure there is no repetition and no recurrence of this crime. And all citizens must be able to live in peace”, Mr. Granger said.
