12
Caribbean Life, March 24-30, 2022
FIGHT FOR Monique Chandler-Waterman
JUSTICE
program to undermine military rule by funding
a guerilla movement with strikes against
military and government installations mostly
in the interior. A full scale bush war erupted
with military attacks on villages suspected of
assisting the rebels. Official figures recorded
more than 500 deaths including the bloody
massacre at southeastern Moiwana Village
where soldiers wiped out more than 50 elders
and children.
The war ended with help from the Organization
of American States (OAS) and other
mediators at the turn of the 90s but rights
organizations like the December 8th Foundation
say they are committed to ensuring
justice for those who died back then.
“No progress can be made as long as a
climate of impunity persists. We are gathered
here to remember but also to denounce
the cowardly murders of these sons. Policemen
who were lifted from their beds in
undergarments by a murder squad and taken
to the police station. Two policemen managed
to escape. Fortunately the death toll
was not higher,” Foundation and Chairman
Sunil Oemrawsingh was quoted by Star News
online newspaper as saying at the ceremony.
People like Oemrawsingh continue to
oppose political elements from the 80s holding
political power, including Bouterse, now
76, ailing but still leading the multiracial
National Democratic Party (NDP). The NDP
lost to a Hindustani-led coalition two years
ago but judging from a huge mass rally it held
in the capital last month, it is reorganizing
to recapture its political base in time for the
next general elections in 2025. The foundation
is also demanding a full inventory of all
human rights violations between 1980 and at
the end of the war at the turn of the 90s to
be fully documented, the chairman said, as
relatives laid wreaths at a small commemorative
monument to the slain policemen. The
100871_NG_CRIrep_FD_amNY (FD=Father/Daughter)
T: 9.6”W X 5.35 B: NA L: 0.5” margin 4c
Foundation blames soldiers for the executions
of the policemen at an outpost just southeast
of the capital, Paramaribo. Several others
were injured.
Continued from Page 1
“I’m running to make sure my friends
and neighbors in East Flatbush, Canarsie
and Brownsville have their fair share
of safe streets, good schools and affordable
housing,” said Chandler-Waterman,
flanked by her family and many supporters
.“
I’ve always pushed Brooklyn forward
as an advocate, activist and will do so as
your next Assemblymember,” added Chandler
Waterman, whose record of activism
spans two decades.
Attendees at the campaign launch also
included Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse
and Assemblymember Jaime Williams,
who endorsed Chandler-Waterman.
“Monique knows the struggles of a
working parent and what it means to advocate
for your community without fear,”
said Haitian-born Narcisse, the newlyelected
representative for the 46th Council
District in Brooklyn. “I’m proud to stand
by her side in this race.”
Trinidadian-born Williams, who represents
the 59th Assembly District, said:
“From her years of work on anti-gun violence
efforts, and addressing food insecurity
across all of our communities, Monique
has been doing the work.
“When you call on Monique, Monique
is there,” Williams said. “She has lived her
life and raised her family with the belief
that community comes first.
“And that is why I am proud to support
Monique Chandler-Waterman for New
York State Assembly in the 58th District,”
she added.
The 58th District includes East Flatbush
and parts of Canarsie and Brownsville
in Brooklyn.
Chandler-Waterman said her tireless
“community-first approach” has been a
theme throughout her life as the founder
of a block association and nonprofit, an
activist working to reduce crime and boost
public safety, and as a public servant having
worked for the Public Advocate and
the City’s Test & Trace Corps.
Continued from Page 1
Former Suriname president Desi Bouterse.
REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh/File
Assemblymember Nick Perry (left)
with Assemblymember Jaime Williams.
Jack Desa
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