GAWU to commemorate its two heroes in March

COMBAT stated it before: “the MONTH OF MARCH brings BITTER-SWEET MEMORIES for GAWU – and to virtually the entire nation”.

“Bitter” because it was on March 06, 1997 – one decade ago already – that Guyana’s National Hero – its original Freedom Fighter – Cheddi Jagan passed away in an American Military hospital. His life-long struggle for freedom and social justice for all Guyanese is etched in the national psyche forever.

GAWU will host and participate in various commemoration events to observe this bitter-sweet anniversary beginning on March 06.

It was also on March 06, forty-three years ago, in 1964, when Kowsilla, known as Alice, was run over by a strike-breaking tractor driver at the Leonora Estate on the West Coast of Demerara. She was part of a group of peaceful female protesters opposed to strike breaking when she was savagely mauled.

Kowsilla paid the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s sugar workers who had to struggle a further twelve years to get the Union of their choice, GAWU, to be recognized in February of 1976.

GAWU will, as usual, commemorate Kowsilla’s passing at a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Anna Catherina (WCD) on Tuesday March 06, commencing at 07:30h. Fraternal and friendly organizations will participate in the morning ceremony.

Their passing gave us strength, inspiration and Hope. Long Live the Memory of the Lives and Work of Comrades Cheddi and Kowsilla!