Heavy rainfall and humidity in no way daunted the thousands who converged on the East Coast Demerara highway yesterday in a massive motorcade and march against the shooting to death of Buxtonian Shaka Blair.

Blair, 32, was shot at his home in Buxton under questionable circumstances by members of the Target Special Squad (TSS) on April 7 and was later taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Yesterday's march was organised by the PNC/R and followed two other protests, which were held during last week.

The procession, which was first led by PNC/R Leader, Desmond Hoyte, moved off from the Square of the Revolution along Brickdam into Avenue of the Republic, up Main Street and then along Carifesta Avenue. During the journey, which commenced at about 11:00 am the marchers displayed banners. And with loud music blaring from a set, the crowd took to the East Coast Demerara main road, chanting, waving and gyrating. The atmosphere was unlike a funeral.

At the corner of Conversation Tree, party Chairman Robert Corbin halted the procession and briefed them on a few matters before they moved on. All along the journey, men and women joined the procession. Most of them, dressed in red and black with headbands and beer bottles in hand, used the moment to display their dancing prowess.

When the procession got to Plaisance it made a brief stop in front of the Sparendaam police station where the ranks there were verbally assaulted. Unlike in Georgetown, where ranks would usually stand in front of the police station, these watched from the windows of the building. School sessions were disturbed as teachers and students came out on the public road to watch the proceedings.

At Beterverwagting, a huge group joined the procession and by now the road was a virtual sea of red and black. When the procession arrived at Buxton another large crowd was waiting on the road. With African drums and cymbals, the Buxtonians received Blair's body. "We Shall Overcome" was their song; gospel and culture rhythms were later sounded.

Blair's body was taken to his home for a short while, before being moved to a tent nearby, where a few mourners were able to view him. While there, his reputed wife, Susan Ragnauth and their three children collapsed several times and had to be revived by relatives.

The coffin of the slain man was draped in African colours and hoisted in the air by six men. For little more than 45 minutes the pallbearers danced with the coffin, singing and shouting.

The body was later taken to the St Augustine Anglican Church, where the funeral service was held.

At the church, Hoyte told the gathering that even as they mourned Blair's passing, his life was celebrated. According to him, Blair was a useful man in his society, "he served in the Guyana National Service and the Guyana Defence Force and played a very active role in community development. He was a good man and a influential leader in Buxton."

Hoyte said that Blair had always been upbeat, willing and vigilant. He said that his death under such harsh conditions came as a shock to the party. "... We wonder why such a young man at the prime of his life should be cut down so brutally? We are living in troubled times, but like Shaka we have to overcome the world. We have to stand up for what is right and help to fight this foul political system in which we are living in. As you live the 'overcomer's' life you will be assaulted, but God did not promise that you wouldn't be beaten and shaken."

Hoyte said that as they celebrated Blair's life, they must resolve to do the things he had cherished most -- living a decent, honest and well-disciplined life. He extended sympathy to Blair's wife, his relatives and friends.