Committee to commemorate Waddell murder anniversary
Guyana Chronicle
January 26, 2007
THE Justice for Jermaine Committee (JJC) yesterday announced that its members will host a commemorative cultural ceremony, at the 1763 Monument Square, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, on January 30, in memory of political activist and television talk show host Ronald Waddell, who was assassinated on that date last year.
JJC Executive Chairman, Mr. Heston Bostwick said, for the one year anniversary observance, they have collaborated with several organisations to remember Waddell who was gunned down outside his Subryanville home and seek justice for his brutal killing.
Bostwick claimed, at a Lot 57 James and Barr Streets, Albouystown press conference, that the Police and the government have, to date, made no effort to find Waddell’s killers and JJC is concerned about his like many other killings.
“The government and Police are not saying anything about Waddell’s murder and this is a major concern for us in the Justice for Jermaine Committee,” Bostwick contended.
He said they have written the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), as well, seeking permission to erect a “wall of justice” at the Middle Street Burnham Park (formerly Parade Ground), in Georgetown, too, but are still awaiting the approval to commence the construction.
Bostwick said they knew the good Waddell did for their community and the children for whom he arranged educational activities and gave other forms of support.
He noted that, since the 1996 establishment of the JJC, they recorded 400 names of people who were killed mysteriously.
“Their lives were snuffed out by people who are roaming free and it is time for justice for those people,” Bostwick declared.
He said the JJC has planned a programme to observe Waddell’s murder anniversary and three other members of the group echoed similar sentiments, bemoaning his “wanton slaughter”.
Waddell, a controversial personality in the latter part of his lifetime, was shot and killed by unknown gunmen and no one has yet been charged with the crime.
It was reported that the former journalist, who also had a law degree from the University of Guyana, had driven up to the gate of his residence when assassins riddled him with bullets, apparently from automatic weapons.
Slumped over the steering wheel, the wounded man was taken out of the motor car he was driving and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he succumbed to his wounds.
Waddell suffered about a dozen gunshot wounds to his head, back, right side, legs and armpit.
He had been a reporter for both the Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News before becoming mired in controversy because of his television talk shows.
Waddell was embroiled in a number of controversies, dating back three years ago, over remarks attributed to him on his programme ‘Taking Care of Business’, aired on the privately-owned HBTV station.
He openly hailed, as ‘freedom fighters’, gunmen hiding out in the troubled East Coast Demerara village of Buxton and his programme was pulled from the airwaves thrice following complaints by the government.