The service, which had as its theme "Justice and Peace", was opened with the hymn, "Lord, We Pray for Golden Peace".

The main speaker was Dr. Clive Y. Thomas of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), and he gave a 'Reflection' on the life of Dr. Rodney. Other contributors were Dr. David Hinds; Father Malcolm Rodrigues; Pandit Mohan of the Ocean View Mandir; Brother Kerry Arthur of the Muslim Peace Institute; and Brother Reuben Gilbert of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

There were poems recited by Ms. Karen De Souza of the Working People's Alliance, and Mr. Deon Abrams, while vocalist and guitarist Eric Walker performed a song.

As he reflected on Dr. Rodney's life, Professor Thomas, shared thoughts, which, he said, linger in his mind. The thoughts included the exchanges they had about the future development of Guyana, and Rodney's comments on the awesome resources that abound in Guyana. Dr. Thomas said he vividly remembers Dr. Rodney saying that Guyana was so rich - both in human and natural resources - that Guyanese would have to be "extraordinarily destructive" to be able to create poverty and economic recession.

And on the periods of crisis in Guyana, Thomas recalled Rodney often expressing the hope that there could be created a mechanism that would transform poverty into the "full blossoming" of the potential of Guyanese.

Noting that Dr. Rodney was always an optimist, Professor Thomas added: "He paid the ultimate supreme price a human being could pay...He gave up his life for his beliefs."

Said Mr. Eusi Kwayana in a message on Walter Rodney's political culture: "His interest in political power at all, or in political power for its own sake, has not yet become the standard among political leaders anywhere, and not in the post-colonial world...He taught us to be alert about social formations and class formations in particular, bowing to no dogma on the question of how a given society ought to develop, bowing to no prognosis of doom... He was committed to a society in which no class exploited or oppressed another on any explanation...He did not underestimate the power of race as a factor, but rejected purely racial explanations."

And Dr. David Hinds said that, perhaps Dr. Rodney's ideas were not being sufficiently utilised. He admonished, "As our country lingers on the brink of extinction, we must individually do something tangible as a reflection of his ideas. We must support the efforts to make his legacy real...participate in some effort to bring about justice and peace for Guyana."

Noting that "Walter, would ask nothing less from us", Hinds added: "So when we come back in another year, we should be able to celebrate in a more positive way."

Hinds expressed sadness over the situation that people can see injustice done and remain quiet. He said it was time to move beyond mere words.

In closing Hinds cautioned: "As we see terror and injustice stalk our land, we have got to ask ourselves...'Have we been true to the legacy of our brother, Walter?'"

Meanwhile, Gilbert, reflecting on the life and death of the distinguished Guyanese historian, husband, father, brother, political activist, and Executive Member of the Working People's Alliance said: "This country is now bereft of a great man, cut down by injustice."

Dr. Rodney was killed by an explosive device on a Georgetown street on Friday, June 13, 1980.