Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3411/-1/140/
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Preacher Calls For Respect For Human Life
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The recent stabbing death of Kwahmi Brooks of The Valley, a young man who regularly walked the streets and affected by certain challenges, has been highlighted as one of the violent crimes plaguing the Anguillian society.
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Rev. Joseph Lloyd
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Speaking at the funeral this week at the Valley Methodist Church, Reverend Joseph Lloyd said Kwahmi’s death posed some crucial and critical questions which should be addressed “openly, honestly and courageously.” He said that rather than being suppressed, the intention should be to find “satisfactory solutions to the upsurge of violence and crime which plaque our society and seek to decimate our population.”
He called for individual and collective action on the part of the island’s people “to sensitize persons in our respective communities to the dignity and sanctity of human life.” In his passionate plea, the outspoken Minister went on: “We must strive by the grace of God to help the wanton and irresponsible in our midst to think soberly and act sanely in order to restrain and eradicate the lawlessness which is wreaking havoc among us.
“Anti-social behaviour that has raised its ugly head in our midst and is directed against the citizenry with a vengeance must no longer be tolerated or condoned. Individually or collectively we must challenge with all the vigour we possess this uncivil behaviour.”
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The late Kwahmi Brooks
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He noted that there were two murders in The Valley in quick succession (the other being that of Dwayne Connor) in addition to others in the recent past. “Reflecting on these unsavoury events must leave no doubt in our minds that there are among us hooligans and rascals who display gross disregard and disrespect for human life and the sanctity which goes with it,” he continued.
Reverend Lloyd noted that enshrined in the Constitutions of many countries including Anguilla was the right to life, liberty and security. “Everyone must have the right to walk the streets (day or night) or access public places during prescribed hours without hindrance or fear of molestation or victimization provided conduct is becoming,” he emphasised.
The Methodist Minister condemned “the culture of silence in Anguilla.” He called for an end to it and for persons to “have the courage to speak the truth in love without fear of recrimination.” He added: “Co-operation of citizens with the ‘arm of the law’ in the detection and eventual solution of crime is paramount. Some of us… are loath to make disclosure to lawmen because we allege their failure to maintain confidentiality. As a result we feel obliged to be silent, forgetting that our very silence can in the long run jeopardize the welfare and well-being of our entire island.”