The following is culled from The Independent - Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ******************* Students to Commemorate April 10, Peaceful March Along Westfield Junction Planned The Independent (Banjul) April 6, 2001 Posted to the web April 6, 2001 Alhagie Mbye Banjul, The Gambia Sources close to the Gambia Students' Union (GAMSU) executive have confirmed to The Independent that students under the supervision of the student body will commemorate April 10 (Bloody Monday), the day last year when about 14 students were killed after security forces opened fire on them as they protested over some grievances. Some members of the Gamsu executive, who approached The Independent voluntarily, indicated that the issue of the commemoration, which was previously not officially endorsed by the authorities, has been now cleared to take place. The students claimed that the Department of State for Education has written to them giving them the "green light" to commemorate the day although up to press time this was not independently confirmed. It was reported that a selected number of Gamsu officials also met the police for the issuance of a permit that would make it possible to conduct the proposed commemoration. Reports say there was a closed-door wrangling between Gamsu and officials of the different security units in the country, including the police, the army and the paramilitary. The students revealed that the authorities have agreed to issue them a permit but on condition that the commemoration be done in a peaceful and orderly manner. The students said the April 10 commemoration would be in the form of candlelights, recitation of the Holy Quran, prayers in churches and mosques to reflect on the tragic day and pray fervently for the students killed when they took to the streets in protest over the unexplained death of a colleague Ebrima Barry and the alleged rape of a teenage schoolgirl. The students who said they will never forget what happened to their colleagues assured that the occasion will be conducted within the confines of the law. They called on the public to join them in offering prayers for their dead colleagues. Meanwhile, The Independent has been informed that the issue of the commemoration ignited a "tense" debate among the authorities, divided over whether the commemoration should take place. Reports suggested that as a result of a protracted impasse, school authorities were on the verge of closing their schools prior to 10 April to avoid their students getting "mixed-up" in a possible student-upheaval. Authoritative sources at the Department of State for Education divulged that the education authorities are resolved to close all schools before Easter although no statement to that effect has been issued by the Department. Some fears were being expressed that it would be "dangerous" to prevent the April 10 commemoration by students whose memories of last year's bloody incident are still fresh. According to reports the students are determined to go ahead with the occasion without the state's co-operation. Sources say a letter has been posted at the Brikama College campus notice board by the Gamsu executive, urging all students and sympathizers of Gamsu's cause to converge at the Westfield junction in four day's time for a "peaceful" march past in honour of their fallen colleagues. Officials at both the police and the Department of State for Education who wished to remain anonymous confirmed moves for the proposed commemoration but said it was premature to elaborate. In the wake of the bloody riots, President Jammeh made a public statement in which he promised that those responsible for the student deaths would be brought to book. Consequently, the government set up a commission of enquiry and coroner'sinquest to determine the causes of the riots and deaths. Earlier this year,in a move that was desribed in some quarters as predictable, the government rejected the findings of both the commission and coroner and declared it would not prosecute senior members of the security forces as recommended by the two reports, a move which ignited widespread public anger. Observers say in spite of the peaceful intention of the students, the planned march could very well turn violent. ******************************************************* http://home3.inet.tele.dk/mcamara **"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible"*** ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------