President: Remember July 27, 1990

UPDATE:

THIS country should have an annual national observance for the July 27, 1990 attempted coup. President Paula-Mae Weekes expressed this view in a statement yesterday.
The President said, “I am convinced it is long past due that there be a proper and fitting annual national observance of the attempted coup d’état of 1990.”

Weekes said this would “mark the significance of one of the darkest days in our history.” She continued, “Such a commemoration would demonstrate an awareness and recognition of the ordeal of those who suffered and died; show our appreciation for the members of our armed forces who intervened and risked their lives to ensure that the insurrection did not spread further; and serve as an annual reminder to remain vigilant in preserving our hard-won democracy.”

After listing the names of people who were killed 28 years ago, Weekes said she has often wondered “why there has never been an annual official remembrance. In the United States of America, every year the names of the 3000 people who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks are individually read out in honour of their memory.”

Noting that in the United States, the names of the 3000 people who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks are individually annually, Weekes observed, “We do not even do that for our far fewer number of casualties.”

The President said citizens must “continue to reinforce our commitment to democratic values and our complete opposition to violence whatever the justification.”

She added that 1990 not simply a grab for power, but an “egregious attack on our democratic ideals.”

Former hostage Wendell Eversley said, “I applaud the President for her statement.”
Eversley said he wrote a letter to Weekes on June 20. He was happy that the President shared his view about the need for an annual commemoration of the attempted coup.

ORIGINAL STORY:

PRESIDENT Paula-Mae Weekes believes there should be a national observance to mark the July 27, 1990 attempted coup. The President expressed this view in a statement today, 28 years after the attempted coup took place.

She said such an observance would "mark the significance of one of the darkest days in our history." Weekes continued, "Such a commemoration would demonstrate an awareness and recognition of the ordeal of those who suffered and died; show our appreciation for the members of our armed forces who intervened and risked their lives to ensure that the insurrection did not spread further; and serve as an annual reminder to remain vigilant in preserving our hard-won democracy."