Myself, Courtney Crum-Ewing, QC and Tolerance

Mar 15, 2015 News

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The Story within the Story…

By Leonard Gildarie
As a little boy growing up in Enmore on the East Coast and later in Grove, East Bank Demerara, it was

always my naïve belief that our little Guyana was insulated from the rest of the world.
We are simple people who like peace and are known for our immense hospitality.
Never mind we lack the white sands and blue/green waters that have become so much of an attraction for tourists.
We have so much going here for us that we sometimes take it for granted. One of our biggest blessings, I believe is our abundance of food. I was up in Black Bush Polder last week and picked some sapodillas. I do believe that it is the fruits of the gods. We have so much to talk about and learn. Like our natural beauty of the interior. The sight of those towering trees, free-flowing creeks and birds whistling is not something that could easily be described.
But harsh reality is hitting home hard. On Tuesday night, our Editorial Department received a call. There was an execution of a resident at Agricola. Within minutes, another call came through. A body was lying on Third Avenue, Diamond, the person said.
We were able to verify that indeed this was so. So I was given the task of handling the Diamond matter. I had started my career in journalism covering the courts and then as a crime reporter. But after awhile it gets to you. You become immune to the numerous bodies, blood and tears in the eyes of loved ones.  One has got to learn to be tough and alert in this field.
On arrival at Diamond, a bus was blocking the road leading to the scene. The police were convinced that it was Courtney Crum-Ewing after a colleague arrived on the scene and called his phone. It rang. He believed that it was Crum-Ewing, because of a loud hailer that was lying next to him.
It was a shock to me. I not only knew Courtney, but as a journalist, I understood the implications.
MURDER!

We are headed to early general elections on May 11. Courtney was reportedly campaigning for the Opposition. But we are not here to discuss Courtney’s particular political leanings. That is highly irrelevant. What is important is what his death means. At first glance, it appeared he was killed for carrying out his work.
The area he was gunned down is in the so-called “million-dollar” section in Diamond where the gates of the homes are locked and the residents are safely inside when dusk comes.
How Courtney ended up in the darkest part of Third Avenue where streetlights are absent is what is baffling and has to be answered in the investigations.
The post mortem examination by the Government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, found he was shot three times to the head – once to the back of his skull and twice to the chest. Some of the shots were from close range. It is clear that the intentions were to ensure Courtney was dead.
I saw his ‘young days’ photos. It was more of a shock to me. I recognized him from QC, my school. He was a prominent student, popular, and a good athlete. We were not friends though.
I learnt of Courtney after my involvement in the now infamous Attorney General phone recording late last year in which police were sent by my home to “escort” me to Brickdam Police Station for questioning.
An angry Courtney, we are told, read of the tape incident which was widely reported in the news, and decided that he wanted the Attorney General to resign. He wrote him to do so, then decided to launch a one-man protest in front of the Waterloo Street offices.
For weeks he stood there, chanting and waving his placard. Quite a few drivers and passersby must have lauded him and shaken their heads in bewilderment. Quite a few others would have cursed him. They must have said that his protests actions were in vain.
Courtney came into Kaieteur News quite a few times. He was a muscular man with an intensity of purpose. At one time, he complained that someone broke into his minibus and stole his computer, making the vehicle immobile. He believed that it was part of a deliberate campaign to shut him up. He even expressed fear for his life.
He shook my hands. I did not at that time recognize him from QC.
I have since learnt that he was preparing to campaign for the Opposition for the elections.
There is an emerging pattern that is coming out about Courtney, based on his Facebook postings and from accounts of close associates.
Courtney was no pushover. A former soldier, he was a highly intelligent and aggressive individual, and goaded officials whom he disagreed with, including from the Opposition. In fact, he was highly critical of the way the Opposition was being run.
The point is that Courtney had a mind of his own. He was exercising his rights and not willing to toe the line or be like anyone else.
His family told me that on Tuesday, when he was killed, no one knew he was heading to Diamond to use his loud hailer. It was unplanned. Even the Opposition folks he was working with were unaware.
So we come to the issue that seems more obvious. I will admit that there are various scenarios.
POLITICAL STANCE
Was Courtney killed for his political stance? I have heard so many theories that it sickens me. You be the judge.
Let me say that as Guyanese we have rights. We don’t have to agree, but we do have right to associate with any political party we choose to, to express ourselves freely and to be critical of our leaders (Opposition included).
No one can take away that right.
A good friend once told me that if we don’t stand up for something, we will fall for anything.
Courtney stood up and was counted.
I am highly emotional by this particular cold-blooded murder by cowards.
Courtney represented, to me, all that is free and fair. I don’t have to agree with his methods. He had loved ones and his friends. What were his thoughts in those final moments? Did he get the time to think about his three daughters? His mother? His brother? His sister?
My father, a policeman, was killed in January 1980 while he was on duty. I am still angry. Why us? Why?
I have been warned that as a journalist in the limelight, it may be best to leave Guyana. Go somewhere, anywhere. I am not afraid. If the Good Lord has mapped out my way, then so be it. I will continue doing my work too. I hope we don’t make another mistake like the killing of Courtney again.
I see the social websites discussing his past in a very disrespectful manner. How is this relevant to the cold manner in which Courtney met his end?
As Guyanese, regardless of our political persuasions, Courtney’s killing by whoever pulled the trigger and whoever ordered it, should be roundly condemned.
We should be ashamed of ourselves. It was a dark day. We have a bright future, but this brutal, senseless act has made us all collectively responsible, by our very silence.
I saw no politicians out in front of the AG’s office last week. It said much.
One placard, “I am Courtney”, said it all.
On Monday afternoon, the Independence Park (Parade Ground) on Middle Street is where a vigil will be held for Courtney. I will be there. So will my colleagues.
I pray to God for Guyana.

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