by Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter
A lady stretches past the police officer at the Coke Methodist Church. - norman grindley
What the police and officials may defend as protective action came across as elitist and prejudicial behaviour to many of the mourners who turned out for the funeral service of the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley.
Many were very clear in expressing their disgust at what they say was overt disrespect towards the very people Miss Lou embraced. The mourners were angered by the fact that they were not allowed to enter the church and those who travelled great distances to attend the service felt they were being scorned by the authorities.
Jumped fence
As they rushed to the gate of the church, the police officers tightened their control and only those who dared to jump over the fence were allowed to enter. Carol, a member of the crowd, felt that more should have been done to accommodate the ordinary man.
"Dem should have a screen at the front. A betta mi did stay a mi yard. You put on you clothes fi come a funeral and can't go in or nothin. Dem have police a guard wi. Mi want see fi miself what is goin on."
Others felt the programme was not detailed and 'fussy' enough for Miss Lou, and felt that it was too 'cheap' for her.
They felt the programme needed more pictures of her days at the Ward and doing Ring Ding and said, "Dem not even have her husband pan it, wha happen to her husband?"
But though the programme was not up to standard for some, many others seemed willing to break a leg just to ensure that they left with one.
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