Dear Editor,
We were stunned and saddened by the news of the assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing, and although we did not know him personally, the shock and grief we felt were great. Courtney Crum-Ewing was not a distinguished citizen, but an ordinary citizen of Guyana; a young man in the prime of his life when he was cut down by a barrage of bullets. To say that only the good die young is poor comfort for his family and the people of Guyana, who have been deprived of a virtuous and principled young man.
As a political activist and an anti-government protestor, Courtney was a man with ideals which claimed the admiration of all those who believe in the preservation of justice, equal rights, freedom, the right to assemble and protest, but most importantly, democracy. Those of us who followed his protests and read his statements over the months cannot let pass unnoticed his deep commitment to make Guyana a better country for all. We cannot forget the great risk of unpopularity which he ran when he stood in front of the Attorney General’s office and called for his resignation. And no one in Guyana with a place in their hearts for equal rights, justice and humanity can but regret the death of the late Courtney Crum-Ewing. His was an untimely death.
In spite of our sadness over his death, it is only right for us as Guyanese to dry our tears, end our sorrows and join in the liquidation of racism, hatred, discrimination, oppression and injustice in Guyana. It is only proper that we honour and recognize this young man. He was full of life; and as a former soldier, he chose righteous deeds over wrongful acts, love over hatred, unity over divisiveness and inclusion rather than exclusion.
Courtney Crum-Ewing is gone but he left the nation with the means and the will to fight and destroy the bitterness, hatred, malice and vindictiveness that exists in the society. We must not fail him; we cannot fail him. In the shortest span of time, he captured the hearts of the nation and his sense of purpose will be reinforced by the people. He created a struggle that will endure long after he departed this earth. Deep was his longing and love for the land of his birth so let his day of departure be a day of gathering for all Guyanese who should erect a monument in their hearts in honour of this righteous young man.
Most of us would have hoped that he could have lived to see the fulfilment of the things for which he stood and for which he fought tirelessly, and to see realized the ideals for which he died. The loss which his parents, children, siblings and other family members have suffered as a result of the act of four cowardly lunatics, is a loss which is shared by all Guyanese. We are convinced that his name will live on for a very long time if not as far as human memory will last. As we weep and shed tears for our brother Courtney, a martyr, a freedom fighter, we must pay attention to the things for which he stood and for which he worked, and we suspect for which he was murdered. His work transcends that of the nation as he sought to share his beliefs with the people. It is time for us to reassure ourselves and also his family that he lives and it is death that is dead, not he.
So, in memory of the late Courtney Crum Ewing, we call on the APNU+AFC coalition and all those who knew him and who believe in what he stood for to build a monument in his memory on the spot where he was gunned down. That is the least we can do to remember our hero, Brother Courtney. And we say to those in authority do not underestimate the resolve of the people.
Our sincere condolences to the family and relatives of Courtney Crum-Ewing. May he rest in peace.
Yours faithfully,
Asquith Rose
Chandra Deolall
Merle Spencer-Marks
