Three protesters calling for the removal of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill over the deadly MV Barima tragedy were arrested at the Kingston Seawall last night for alleged unlawful assembly and later released on self-bail, as hundreds gathered nearby for a national prayer service for the victims and survivors.
One of the protesters, Sherlina Nageer, told Kiskadee Watch following her release that five persons had gathered near the electronic billboard at the Kingston seawall with placards calling for Edghill to go, but only three were arrested.
She said police instructed them to move from the area and they resisted, after which they were physically removed. “They said unlawful assembly. They wanted us to move from where we were, and we resisted moving. And then they physically moved us,” Nageer said.
According to her, the three were held for approximately one hour before being released on self-bail and instructed to return to the police station at 9:00 hrs today. Nageer shared that the group was engaged in a silent and peaceful protest and was neither blocking the roadway nor using amplified sound. “We were there with placards. The placard said we were calling for Minister Edghill to go. We were standing silently. We weren’t making any noise or being disruptive,” she said.
The protesters had initially gathered near the electronic billboard before moving closer to the area where the National Interfaith Prayer Service was being held in remembrance of those who died and survived the MV Barima tragedy.
Nageer maintained that the group had no intention of disrupting the observance and said they were also mourning the loss of life. “We were just there not intending to do anything to cause an arrest to happen. So we weren’t expecting to be arrested. That was surprising,” she said.
She argued that they were in a public place and were not using speakers or blocking the roadway, adding that they intend to challenge the police action.
The protest came in the context of mounting calls for Edghill to resign because the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), which operates the MV Barima, falls under the Ministry of Public Works.
Nageer said that accountability for the tragedy should extend beyond lower-level employees to those responsible for overseeing the agencies involved. “We’ve seen too many cases with other tragedies where a few, let’s call them small people, get thrown under the bus and they get blamed for everything. And the higher-ups who have also failed, nothing happens to them,” she said. “That’s why we called Edghill out. He’s the minister. This is under his watch…We need real accountability.”
Meanwhile, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), hundreds gathered at the Kingston Seawall Bandstand on Wednesday evening for the National Interfaith Prayer Service, held on the first of three days of national mourning declared by President Irfaan Ali.
Grieving families and survivors joined government officials, diplomats, religious and Indigenous leaders, members of the disciplined services and other citizens for prayers and tributes to those who died.
Phillips described the sinking as one of the most painful periods in Guyana’s recent history and pledged continued support for affected families and the recovery effort.
The service included prayers from Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders, along with musical and other tributes. Mourners later signed a book of condolences and left flowers and messages for bereaved families.
Similar observances are scheduled for Port Kaituma and Mabaruma as the country continues to mourn those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
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