Tribute to our dear friend, Lionel Peters

Aug 26, 2014 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
We received the sad news of the death of one of Guyana’s political stalwarts and a very close friend Lionel Peters. Although we knew that he was gravely ill and would depart this life at any moment, yet the shock and grief we felt were great. He was still a young man in the prime of his life when death touched him.
Too soon, too soon was our cry as we shed tears for one of Guyana most gifted and talented political organizers. Those who would rationalize or sublimate sorrow in circumstances like these would offer the comfort that only the good die young. But that is indeed poor comfort, for the AFC in particular, and Guyana in general, have been deprived of a virtuous soul.
Guyana and the AFC have lost a true son of the soil, a political trooper and a dedicated fighter in Lionel Peters. He was a simple man, yet he touched the lives of so many people with his simple message of one people, one love and one nation. He came from within the ranks of the poor and the powerless and he always stood up for then and fought for them, day and night.
The late Lionel Peters was a man with ideals, who believed that there is a great deal to be done for the preservation of peoples’ rights and the much vaunted but infrequently practiced democracy in Guyana. Exceptional and brilliant, he had a natural love for people and country that was greatly admired by all who knew him. His extraordinary organizational skills claimed the admiration of both Cheddi and Janet Jagan and all his former comrades at Freedom House, as well as the late Desmond Hoyte.
In 1974 he joined the PPP’s political struggle to restore democracy to Guyana and in the process he successfully organized several protests and demonstrations. It was a dream come true. For this he was beaten and imprisoned by the police. But he had no fear; not even the fear of death if that was the price he felt he had to pay in pursuit of his dream.  As he once said, “no matter what happened to me, the struggle to liberate Guyana from the hands of the PNC dictators and restore democracy will continue.” He had the ornate skill of whipping up enthusiasm when it was flagging, giving inspiration where it was needed, and providing hope to the hopeless.
Feeling discouraged that the PPP had become disconnected from the people, Lio (as he is known to his friends), in 1996 left the PPP and joined the PNC where he served as a senior political organizer to Desmond Hoyte, leader of the opposition. No one can forget the great risk of unpopularity he ran when he left the PPP. He did not believe in the deliberate marginalizing of the youths of Guyana by the PPP. This is the man who said it makes no sense to talk about democracy if you are not prepared to practice it. Lio had said that politics is his life. Yet he was a loving husband, a caring father, an adoring grandfather, a kind brother, an affectionate uncle and a genuine and dear friend.
Lio was an unpretentious, humble, practical and courageous man. His integrity was beyond reproach.  We really saw his genuine commitment and passion for the working class when he joined the AFC New York/New Jersey Chapter in 2008. And despite his illness, he never missed any of the meetings in the run-up to the 2011 elections and contributed directly to the AFC Action Plan.
Against his doctor’s advice, Lio travelled to Guyana where he conducted one of the fiercest political campaigns for the AFC in the 2011 regional and general elections. Throughout his life, Lio was a fighter and a crusader to unshackle the poor from the PPP yoke of oppression. He was judicious in his deliberations, original in style, and unwavering in his struggle. And for those who wronged him he forgave them. He was much greater than lesser mortals, yet he had his human failings which tell that “no one is perfect.” He was an avid cricket and football fan.
We are inclined to believe that it is time for us to dry our eyes and pay attention to the things for which he stood and for which he worked. It is time for us to recognize that he was outstanding. It is for us to acknowledge that even after the chilled hand of sickness touched him, he fought with the same indomitable spirit with which he fought prior to his illness. As we pray for him and his family, it is time for us to reassure ourselves that he lives, and it is death that is dead, not him.
We sincerely regret his passing but we are grateful and honoured to have been his friend and will always value and cherish the memories we shared because at the end of the day, he was a wonderful human being.  As we mourn his passing, we must dedicate ourselves to continue his work. Lio has done his duty to his country, farewell Sir Lionel. We will miss you dearly, but we will never forget you.
May God comfort his family at this time and may his soul rest in peace.
Asquith Rose and Harish Singh

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