40 years ago bauxite workers were tear-gassed in their jail cells

Dec 13, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
December 2016 marked 40 years since 42 striking Bauxite workers were tear-gassed in a cell at the Linden Police Station. Today no more than literally a handful – about 6 – are around in Linden, the rest are scattered, either migrated or deceased.
It was a most traumatic, horrible and ugly experience that left not only a bitter memory in the minds of the victims, but also the entire community that was incensed by this outrageous and dastardly act, in which some choked/suffocated, some coughed up blood while a few fainted, and if I can remember well, I think two of the brothers died subsequently as a result.
It was the era of some turbulence and anxiety, radical trade union activism and agitation, of workers’ protests, demonstrations, strikes and in many instances jobs were lost, as the fear of being victimized, which some courageous workers experienced, kept others in line. Yes, it was the season of order and disorder, obedience and disobedience.
Invited to the Guyana Agriculture Workers Union Congress and to be part of the agenda which was a customary thing then between unions, the Guyana Mine Workers Union then the leading and major union in the community and to which the brothers belonged, gave a splendid and dramatic presentation by way of a skit. Ironically this painful experience as it was indeed, created much laughter and held the audience in rapt attention though they were not actors or members of any drama group, but what they had summoned up and presented was what they had all experienced first-hand, live, no make believe. And they were raw!
Editor, it is interesting to note that in this the year 2016, our Jubilee year, which is also the 100th years of bauxite mining 1916 – 2016 and celebrated in October/November in which we witnessed the unveiling of the Centennial Arch in honor of the event also coincided with the 40th anniversary of those 42 workers who were tear-gassed.
Those workers like all the others made tremendous contributions, they were indeed – each one of them an integral and sustaining force in the amassing and realizing of this centenary of Bauxite Mining – for Bauxite workers they were. And as I see it, I have to say that not only would it be remiss of us not to remember and reflect on what happened to those 42 brothers 40 years ago, but would also bear us as disingenuous, fakes and frauds.
For how could we with a straight face in honour and adoration pay tribute to an entity for what occurred and started 100 years ago, arriving at this landmark 2016, and not remember nor recognized the most vital component of its make-up in the production of its prized product – Bauxite; of those who laboured within and stood firm in defiance and defense of a better working and living condition, exercising a basic civil and human responsibility.
It is unfortunate that this issue has to be addressed in this way, blending in with the politics of today 40 years since; even as we would love to forge on anew unencumbered by such an issue like this, which some regarded as a non-issue, as other equally troubling matters, had they been correctly and humbly attended to by those responsible in good faith whereby damaged, hurting souls could have been soothed.
Then this sore period would have been long banished to the history books only to surface time and again in theoretical research, polemics etc., as sure will happen. Sadly our politics haven’t risen to such level. To those remaining brothers, “the survivors” wherever you are: Respect.
Frank Fyffe

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40 years ago bauxite workers were tear-gassed in their jail cells

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