Am I the only one outraged by the "Daily Observer's" article on the massacre of the Gambian students yesterday? If you have not seen it yet, see for yourself below (As posted by Momodou Camara on G-L) How dare they? The article suggested that the student's were the cause of the escalation of the incident, to the point of murder by the paramilitary officers. It suggested that the Paramilitary personnel, only acted out of fear for their safety and out of desperation. Almost as if they only reacted in self defense. Is observer hinting that the dead students are responsible for their own death? Will someone explain to me how trained, armed, killing machines like those "Jammeh Assassins" can justify their fear of defenseless school children? How can they justify their "claimed acts of Self Defense" against innocent youths armed with nothing? I swear as I was reading it, I was almost sure that I was reading a report on the incident put out by Jammeh and his "Puppet Government." What is going on OBSERVER? What happened to the brave front you used to present and your usual reporting of injustices by the government. Why have you decided to play it save in this, the Gambian People's most hour of need? I have to say, as a former fan of the newspaper, that am greatly disappointed. This is not a time to report "Government Friendly Material." It is a time to report the truth, a time for you and all other vehicles of journalism to use that unrivaled power of the press, to make sure the voice of the Gambian people are heard world wide. I think that if our young can be out in the streets of Gambia facing bullets and laying down their lives, we the adults can surely be shocked into action. For we have indeed failed them. If we had knipped Jammeh's lunatic outbursts of crazed dictatorship from the beginning, then our young will not have found it necessary to lay down their lives in other to achieve justice. As it is, we should be ashamed of the fact that we did indeed watch on and in the process, let our brothers and sisters down. For we should be the protectors of our future leaders. Hence, the least we can do now, is to make sure that those who died did not die in vain. And if anything, I would expect the press to lead this call for justice. I definitely did not expect the Daily Observer to be the one poking at our wounds by almost blaming our dead for their own murders. Please tell me that you were monitored or forced to write this article against your will. For I cannot believe that such a fine mechanism of journalism would drop the batton in the midst of the race. In the Spirit of true journalism, I invoke you to divert this course your newspaper has taken. We all know that often, it is the press who help re-write modern history. So help us re-write our history. Help us take the reigns of our country from these murderous, inhumane creatures. In Your Heart You Know The Truth, So Let It Be Heard or better yet, in this case, Let It Be Read. I look forward to FOROYAA's version of the events. Momodou Camara The Daily Observer Published 04/11/00 10 DEAD IN STUDENTS DEMO At least ten people are reported to have died following clashes between demonstrating students and armed police and soldiers yesterday. Students from schools in Serrekunda, Banjul, Brikama and Bakau, went out on the streets to protest against what they said was the 'slow pace' of justice in the prosecution of the Brikama fire officers who were alleged to have caused the death of student Ebrima Barry, and an unidentified uniformed officer alleged to have raped the 13-year-old Brikama-ba school girl. Among the dead in yesterday's clashes was Red cross volunteer, Omar Barrow, who is also the editor of Sud FM Radio, Banjul.Last week, students under the aegis of Gambia Students Union (Gamsu) sent messages to schools in the Greater Banjul Area informing of the strike. Messages on posters were also pinned up in schools and along streets in Serrekunda. Alerted about the strike, the department of state for the Interior Sunday issued a press release warning students against staging a strike and stressed that no attempt to disrupt the peace will be allowed. Sources at Interior said the executive members of Gamsu were invited to a meeting where they were briefed on government's efforts to speedily prosecute the alleged errant officers. However, at about 8am Monday, students carrying white banners with slogans, "Justice for Ebrima Barry", "We rather die than injustice", "Respect the future leaders", "Redeploy Brikama fire officers" and chanting, "We are hot, very, very hot!", "We want freedom and justice!", began gathering at GTTI where they were to begin the supposedly "peaceful" demonstration. A contingent of paramilitary officers arrived at the scene and cautioned the students to call off the strike. They refused to comply. A short while later, armed forces chief of staff, Babucarr Jatta, and army commander, Lt Col Momodou Badjie, arrived and urged the students to remain calm. The students began throwing stones when the paramilitary officers barred their way. The officers reacted by firing shots into the air. There was pandemonium as some of the students ran amok while others did mock battle with the armed officers. The paramilitary officers regrouped at the mobile traffic unit as the students in disparate groups advanced towards the Westfield junction, setting up road blocks and setting vehicle tyres on fire. At the Westfield junction, Col Jatta and Interior secretary, Ousman Badjie, tried to calm the students without success. The students vandalised the Westfield Gamtel office, burning the building and smashing to smithreens the computers and furniture. They continued on the stoning spree along Kairaba Avenue breaking shop glasses and setting ablaze vehicles. The students were joined by street boys and shops and stalls were looted. The Gamtel Serrekunda Exchange, Gambia Television offices and the adjoining Serrekunda Post Office were attacked. The post office was vandalised without restraint as windows were smashed, post boxes opened and parcels looted. Gamtel coin phone booths were not spared as well as the Daily Observer offices. At about 9.18am the Churchill's Town Fire and Ambulance Services compound was attacked and two fire machines, one bearing the number plate, G3A 4214 were burnt. The Bundung police station was burnt as well as part of the Serrekunda police station where inmates were freed.Kotu police and fire station were attacked. Sources in Brikama said the fire engines were attacked and the pol ice station gutted to the ground. Armed personnel were said to have been redeployed in the town. The mobile traffic headquarters was also attacked, windscreens of vehicles smashed, including one police siren car and three motorbikes.The students jeered at the deputy inspector general of police and Baba Jobe when they tried to calm them. The students seized DIG Badjie's cap but returned it to him later. The president of Gamsu, Omar Joof, and some of his executive members had to flee on board a pick-up vehicle in a hail of stones after he tried to address the students. Some of the students seized police shields, helmets and uniforms, wearing them.Our reporter, Ben Gomez, said he saw a student pick up a gun dropped by a fleeing paramilitary officer and wanted to open fire but there was n o cartridge. The paramilitary officers were said to have been barricaded in a building where they ran for safety for about 20 minutes as thick smoke from burning tyres oozed on them.The officers then opened fire and according to our r eporter, three students wearing black and white uniforms fell down and were motionless. At the Serrekunda Post Office, Col Jatta, who was making frantic efforts to douse the flames of violence was accosted by the students who escorted him on foot along Kairaba Avenue to the paramilitary base in Kanifing wher e he was rescued. The students were forced to retreat under rounds of gunfire lasting 20 minutes. By last evening, Red Cross officials said at least 10 people have died and many injured including a three year-old-boy. Most of the injured were admitted at the RVH intensive care unit. Armed soldiers were patrolling the streets yesterday.The violence, damage to property and loss of life have been roundly condemned by many people who appealed to the security forces to ensure that Monday's encore is not r epeated. Omar Barrow Killed Omar Barrow, a Red Cross volunteer and the editor at Sud FM radio station, Banjul, was shot to death during the student demonstration yesterday. In a press release issued last evening, Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS), explained: "Mr Omar Barrow died at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Banjul after all efforts to save his life. Omar Barrow was shot within the premis es of GRCS whilst rendering humanitarian services during the student demonstration of Monday, April 10, 2000. At the time of the gunshot, Mr Omar Barrow was wearing a clearly marked protective Red Cross emblem, that is, a Red Cross bib and helmet, which is in line with the international code of conduct in relief operations and in conformity with the Geneva Conventions. Mr Omar Barrow is a member of the GRCS emergency response team and the resource development committee. Mr Barrow, a very active and dedicated Red Cross volunteer, died in the line of duty. The entire membership of the Gambia Red Cross Society will observe a week of mourning for the late Omar Barrow, effective April 10, 2000, all in ceremonial uniforms or Red Cross T-shirts." The Red Cross said it extends condolences to the family and friends of Omar Barrow.The late Omar Barrow is survived by a wife and a seven-month-old baby girl. Region 1, 2 schools closed Following yesterday's bloody clashes involving students and armed police and soldiers, Office of the President has ordered the immediate closure of all schools and tertiary institutions in Banjul, Kanifing municipal area and Western Division. A press release to the effect, issued yesterday afternoon read:"This morning some students in regions 1 and 2, under the leadership and guidance of the Gambia Student's Union, went into rampage causing obstructions to traffic and disrupting school mock exams that were in progress. It is further known that certain students forced their way into some schools and dragged their colleagues to join them in this unwarranted and unruly behaviour. Number of casualties and the level of damage to property are currently under investigation.Government has therefore decided that all schools and tertiary institutions in regions 1 and 2 be closed with immediate effect, until further notice. All parents are hereby advised to keep their children at home and to await further instructions from the department of state for Education.The security services will be on full alert and patrol to ensure the safety of lives and property. The general public and all visitors to The Gambia are assured that the government will not compromise the security and stability of the country under any circumstances. The situation is completely under control and all are advised to go about their normal business as usual. Everyone is urged to fully cooperate with the security services and to report any criminal act and banditry to the nearest police station." ===== "NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION" ALSO "NOTHING IS UNACHIEVABLE, THE ONLY QUESTION IS, WHETHER ONE IS WILLING TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO ACHIEVE WHAT IS DESIRED" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! 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