Protests erupted yesterday at Den Amstel and Melanie Damishana as family members, friends and supporters of the three crew members charged in connection with the deadly MV Barima tragedy took to the streets, insisting that the men were being made scapegoats for a disaster they say resulted from years of official neglect.
Demonstrations unfolded simultaneously at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, and Melanie, East Coast Demerara, just a day after Captain Kevin Price, Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, and Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts were remanded to prison on 72 counts of murder arising from the July 18 sinking of the state-owned vessel.
At Den Amstel, scores of residents lined sections of the public road carrying placards reading “Free the Crew,” “Justice for Delon,” and “Hold the Ministers Accountable.” Traffic slowed as protesters chanted for the immediate release of the three men while demanding that responsibility for the tragedy extend beyond the vessel’s crew to those tasked with overseeing the Transport and Harbours Department.
Family members of Goods Superintendent Granderson were among the most vocal demonstrators, maintaining that he had repeatedly raised concerns about the condition of the ill-fated vessel before the tragedy occurred.
Speaking with Kiskadee Watch, Granderson’s sister said her brother had complained to his superiors on numerous occasions about the state of the vessel but never made those concerns widely known within the family.
She said that while Granderson was not one to discuss work-related issues extensively at home, he had informed management about defects aboard the vessel and had submitted written reports highlighting that it was unfit for service.
According to her, those concerns were ignored, leaving workers to continue operating under dangerous conditions.
“He complained to his superiors. There are written notices that he would have submitted. They knew the vessel wasn’t seaworthy,” she said, adding that it was unfair for the crew alone to now bear the burden of criminal responsibility.
Granderson’s uncle also appealed publicly for the charges against his nephew to be dropped, insisting that the crew members were innocent.
“They are not criminals,” he told Kiskadee Watch. “Release my nephew. They are being blamed for something much bigger than them.”
As the morning protest continued, demonstrators repeatedly called for accountability from the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, arguing that those responsible for maintaining and certifying the vessel should also face scrutiny.
Hours later, the protest shifted to Melanie, where relatives, friends and residents rallied in support of Price.
Supporters marched peacefully through sections of the community waving placards and chanting, “Free Kevin and Crew,” while calling on authorities to release the three men pending the outcome of the investigation.
Although both demonstrations remained peaceful throughout the day, a heavy police presence was maintained at each location, with ranks closely monitoring the gatherings in anticipation of any possible disturbances. Officers formed a visible perimeter around the protesters but no major incidents were reported.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who joined the protesters, described the prosecution of the three crew members as deeply troubling and warned that the case could have wider implications for public servants across the country.
Addressing supporters, Mohamed argued that what had happened to the crew “can happen to anyone tomorrow,” contending that public employees were now at risk of being held solely responsible for systemic failures beyond their control.
He accused the Government of attempting to “scapegoat” the three men in an effort to shield senior officials from accountability, maintaining that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration was prepared to sacrifice ordinary workers to protect those at the top.
Mohamed also announced that the opposition intends to continue a series of peaceful demonstrations in the coming days, calling for the resignation of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar, whom protesters argue had ministerial oversight for the operation of the vessel.
By evening, demonstrators had once again gathered at Den Amstel, where family members and supporters continued their calls for the immediate release of Granderson, Price and Roberts.
Despite the sustained police presence, the protest remained orderly, with supporters vowing that yesterday’s demonstrations marked only the beginning of a broader campaign seeking justice for the crew while also demanding accountability from those responsible for the management and maintenance of the ill-fated MV Barima.
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