Guyana Chronicle
June 17, 2001

THE People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says the courage and selfless struggle of the Enmore Martyrs must "forever inspire all Guyanese, especially workers."

In a statement saluting the sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs - five sugar workers shot dead on the Enmore sugar estate on June 16, 1948 by colonial police - the governing alliance said that on this occasion, "we must dedicate ourselves to building a prosperous Guyana and reject those who seek to take us back to the dark and oppressive days."

It said the impact of the fatal shooting of the five "led to the intensification of the struggle by our working people - of all ethnic backgrounds and in all sectors - for freedom, justice and a better standard of living."

"The father of our freedom struggle - Dr. Cheddi Jagan, was so moved by the killings that, at the graveside of the Enmore Martyrs in 1948, he dedicated his life to the struggle for our country's freedom and its lasting progress", the PPP/C recalled.

The Enmore killings also led to the creation of the country's first mass-based political party, the PPP, it said, recalling that for the first time, the oppressed people were organised in a political struggle to end colonialism and oppression.

While the cause of the Enmore workers killing resulted from the inhumane conditions on the sugar plantations, it not only led to advances for sugar workers, but for workers in all sectors of the economy, the PPP/C said.

"The PPP, grounded in the working people of Guyana, is proud of its record of protecting and expanding the rights of workers and improving their living and working conditions.

"The gains made by our workers under the PPP/Civic have been impressive and must be protected to ensure that the struggles of the Enmore martyrs were not in vain", the statement added.