Collaborative body formed to petition for the 1823 monument at Independence Park

Dec 29, 2012 News

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By Abena Rockcliffe
The Coalition of the 1823 Independence Park Ground Monument was yesterday launched at City Hall through a press conference which sought to, among other things, debunk arguments by Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Dr. Anthony supported Government’s decision not to erect the 1823 monument at Parade Ground and reiterate reasons as to why the monument should stand on “ground where slaves’ blood was shed.”
African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA)’s Elton Mc Rae stated that the Coalition has been formed with the specific aim of protesting the “disrespectful distortion of history implicit in the decision made by the Ministry of Culture to change the site of the monument to memorialize the martyrs of the 1823 Insurrection on the Parade Ground,” and said that the coalition involves 10 organizations and several citizens including Mayor Hamilton Green.
Mc Rae said that the Minister’s decision to erect the monument on Carifesta Avenue is an insult to Guyanese since it is diametrically opposed to a decision made after a series of discussions involving African historians and cultural leaders in the 1970’s.
He noted that “after more recent consultations between segments of the population and Government, the turning of the sod at Independence Park occurred on August 1, 2000 with former President Bharrat Jagdeo. It is not clear when or why the minority PPP executive decided to reverse this decision.”
McRae cited a point made by Dr. Anthony that he invited “our opinions, and none was offered.” However, as far as we know the Minister did not follow established protocol on this issue.
The recognized method of communication between the Ministry of Culture and Cultural Organizations has always been by way of letters. In this instance the Minister chose to advertise for suggestions in the National Press. These advertisements are disrespectful to both our past and recent history as they both brazenly attempt to erase the previous decisions and fly in the face of established protocol.
Mayor Hamilton Green who stated that “it is not an African thing” said that the move to erect the monument at Carifesta Avenue is all part of a continuous crusade by a disrespectful government.
He also said that the government is using the state media to brain wash Guyanese who don’t know their history and further stated that a country without a history don’t exist.
He then referred to the Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow monument being erected at Parliament Building against the will of workers and other trade unionists “when it was asked to be erected at Bourda Green where he gave most of his speeches.”
The Mayor said that he hopes that Minister Anthony “who appears to be one of the decent ones” reconsiders his move.
Frederick Kissoon, who was there representing the People’s Parliament, regarded the arguments posed by Dr. Anthony as frivolous and inaccurate.
He said that Dr. Anthony’s statement that the monument would obstruct the football field is irrelevant as there are five active football fields in the vicinity of Independence Park.
Kissoon added that Independence Park is more famous for the basketball court as opposed to the football field.
He then pointed to Dr. Anthony’s statement that the seawall area would be better because the area is move active and said that “when persons are finished exercising between the hours of four and six and the lovers leave by 9:00” the area is desolate.  Kissoon spoke about a few murders that were committed in the same vicinity.
Then, he alluded to Cheddi Jagan’s monument that was erected in Port Mourant where he grew up.
Hazel Wolford, a Guyanese historian, said that it is a show of disrespect for a monument of that nature to be placed close to a location named after the daughter of a man who supported and promoted slavery. The location is close to Eve Leary.
She added that Independence Park represents strength and has the blood of martyrs on that spot.
She noted, “It also represents what Burnham stood for, he was a man concerned about domestic violence against women which was one of the reasons the rebellion was staged. And the Burnham Court is right there.
“Parade ground is very close to Quamina Street that was named after an ex slave in 1985.”
She said that Quamina was also a Christian slave “So demographically, educationally and as it related to Christianity, Independence Park is best.”
“We are facing a situation like 1964 with the Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow Monument but they must know that the Parade Ground (Independence Park) is important not only for African Guyanese but for educators as well.”

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