Date

Jun 3, 1980

Description

This cable quotes an article from the GOG-owned newspaper Guyana Chronicle about the 1 June arrests of 23 individuals. Sixteen were reported to be “involved in training of the use of arms with the intent of overthrowing the government of Guyana,” and seven in New Amsterdam were arrested for “defacing public buildings.” GOG-controlled radio broadcasts indicated the latter were WPA activists accused of placing anti-government slogans on buildings. The arrests were likely intended to intimidate because they occurred just two days before the 3 June scheduled trial on arson charges of the three WPA leaders. The embassy repeated its plans to send an observer to the trial of Dr. Rodney, Dr. Omawale, and Dr. Roopnairine, although space would be limited. Great Britain was sending former Labor Attorney General Sam Silken, and Amnesty International would be represented by David Weissbrodt, a University of Minnesota law professor, who had previously worked as a consultant on political trials for the State Department. The trial opened on 3 June but was adjourned until late August, according to a 14 June 1980 cable (Document 6).

Note: A lengthy article by Sam Silkin, the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group observer to the 3 June arson trial provides an eye witness account of the events inside and outside the court, including the prosecutor’s demeanor, conversations with Rodney and the other defendants, and listening to Rodney address the crowd of two to three thousand who waited outside to greet the defendants after the trial was adjourned. [8]

Source

Freedom of Information Act request

Document published in following posting(s):

The Walter Rodney Murder Mystery in Guyana 40 Years Later

Jun 13, 2020