President memorialises 195th Demerara Revolt anniversary

On the 195th anniversary since the 1823 Demerara Revolt, tributes were given to the sacrifices made by those who were enslaved under British rule, at a commemorative ceremony which was observed on Monday.

The observance was held at the 1823 Monument in the company of the President of Guyana, David Granger; Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland; members of the Diplomatic Corp and other stakeholders.
Wreaths were laid at the base of the monument while homages were paid with national songs and performances by the National Dance Company and a musical rendition by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) band.
During his feature address, President Granger noted that this month recalls the struggles which were made by our ancestors for freedom, commencing with Emancipation Day and continuing with the anniversary of the Revolt.
“The Revolt, involving more than 11,000 Africans across 55 plantations on the East Coast of Demerara, was the largest revolt of enslaves Africans in Guyana and is one of the most significant in the dismantling of the slave mode of production in the Caribbean.”
Amid the sacrifices that were made, he nevertheless acknowledged that it opened an opportunity for the enslaved ancestors to attain freedom through the various rebellions that were planned on the plantations at different periods. However, this day is marked specifically in honour to those who would’ve fought for emancipation during the Demerara Revolt. Insight was also given to the other rebellions which were led in Essequibo and Berbice.

“The Demerara Revolt was suppressed but it ignited the flame of freedom. News of the bloody suppression and revolt created outrage in Britain. The revolts rolled in the passage of the emancipation act 10 years after. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana designated the 20th of August as Demerara Martyrs Day in homage to the victims of the Demerara Revolt,” President Granger said.
Sports and cultural activist, Aaron Blackman remarked, “Those martyrs every year invigorates the peaceful revolution pursued by the conscious African man and woman in our African villages through these commemorative ceremonies that reminds us of our past.”
At that time, he also explicated on the importance of education and safe spaces for the development of youths in all communities.
On August 18, 1823, people who were enslaved under the British rule enaged in the Demerara Rebellion, revolting for two days. Plans for the rebellion began on August 17, 1823 at Plantation Success and was led by Quamina and his son, Jack Gladstone. During the revolt, Quamina called for peace to remain but his pleas fell on deaf ears and the slaves rebelled the following day. They were killed by the colonial masters after shots were fired into the crowds, killing some 200 persons.
After that day, while the revolt had ended, many of the rebels were hunted and killed. Two hundred of them were beheaded while 16 were lined up to be hanged. Gladstone was sent to St Lucia and Quamina was traced and killed in September, 1823.