RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Eager to get a last view of Dr Leroy “Black Stalin” Calliste’s body, a mob of people tried to enter the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts yesterday.
But they were held back by SAPA security officers, who still appeared to have a difficult time keeping them at bay.
As the funeral service started, a mob of mourners pushed at the glass doors in an attempt to gain access for a last chance to pay tribute to the calypso legend.
One security guard was heard shouting: “I will forcibly remove you. Pushing on the door is not going to help anybody. Please move away thank you.”
But the mob persisted, forcing the guard to make a public announcement.
“It is closed to the public now. There is no seating for the public,” he advised.
The crowds eventually spilled over into the street but the police, led by Senior Supt Cecil Santana from the Municipal Police, worked swiftly to clear the street.
The wreckers also worked overtime. It was imperative to have the zone around SAPA clear to facilitate the dismissal of the schools. There are seven schools near the venue and police were determined to avert a traffic jam.
School officials at ASJA Girls’ College and ASJA Boys’ dismissed school earlier.
Across Lady Hailes Avenue, scores of residents from the Embacadere buildings waited to cross the road to enter SAPA, even though there was no space.
To them, this was a last chance to say farewell to their hero.
“You know how many times in my darkest moment, I listen to Stalin’s song Better Days are coming,” Pearl Clarke said.
Outside SAPA, several vendors sold sno-cones and lollies. By noon, the rains had cleared up and the blistering sun dried out the surroundings.
Dignitaries, including Minister of Agriculture Kazim Hosein, Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell, Housing Minister Pennelope Beckles and National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, attended the funeral.
