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| WALTER RODNEY 25th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE |
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Rodney
monument unveiled - memorial park set up at Hadfield St avenue Tuesday, June 14th 2005  Dr Patricia Rodney
looks at the plaque and the granite monument, which she unveiled in her
husband's honour at the newly-established Walter Rodney Memorial Park yesterday
to mark the 25th anniversary of the assassination of the late WPA leader.
(Photo by
A monument was unveiled and a memorial park established along the Hadfield Street avenue yesterday to honour the life and legacy of WPA leader, Dr Walter Rodney on the 25th anniversary of his assassination. The renowned historian/ politician/academic was killed on Friday, June 13 1980 near where the memorials were erected. And it was announced yesterday that two annual scholarships would also be awarded to the most outstanding pupils of St Stephen's and Smith's Memorial Primary in honour of Dr Walter Rodney. Dr Patricia Rodney, his widow, unveiled the plaque which honours the deceased as the champion of the multi-racial working people. She also planted four royal palms with the assistance of friends in the avenue. Their children Shaka, Kanini and Asha were present along with Dr Rupert Roopnarine, Andaiye, Lincoln Van Sluytman and visiting friends and colleagues from various parts of the Caribbean and the world. The area would be planted with flowers and decorative plants and developed with seating accommodation among other features, "where children can play safely", activist and businesswoman Jocelyn Dow told those gathered for the simple ceremony. Dow said a small committee would be formed to oversee the development of the area. Giving a description of the monument, she said the rock was granite but the plaque was inlaid with a number of semi-precious stones including jasper, agate and black pearl. Children of the nearby schools helped in laying the semi-precious stones. Contractor BK Tiwari provided the block of granite. A number of corporate citizens including Desmond Correia, Stanley Ming, Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Ltd and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph pitched in. Dow said architect Orin Hinds had suggested the Hadfield Street Avenue for the park and with the approval of the City Council the base for the monument and the park was developed. She pointed to the significance of the area, which is next to Smith's Congregational church founded in honour of John Smith, who fought the slavery system. The ceremony on Hadfield Street Avenue preceded an inter-faith service
at the Ursuline Convent Chapel on Camp Street. (Miranda La Rose)
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