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| Photo taken by Makeela Alexander at Woodbrook, Port of Spain. |
Senior Counsel Dana Saroop Seetahal was born on July 8th,
1955 and was assassinated on the dawning May 4th, 2014. She was a
former Independent Senator in the Trinidad and Tobago senate and an attorney at
law in private practice. She was also a lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law
School, Trinidad and Tobago.[1]
On May 4th, 2014, according to Trinidad and Tobago News
Blog, she was assassinated just minutes away from her Woodbrook Place home.
Investigations had discovered that Seetahal was actually followed after leaving
the Ma Pau casino on Tragarete Road, Woodbrook, and was ambushed near the
Woodbrook Youth Facility and killed.
Reports stated that a panel van had been parked nearby the
Woodbrook Youth Facility, blocking her path. Afterwards, an armed male with an
assault rifle and another with a handgun, paced up to her Volkswagen Touareg
and there was a burst of gunfire.
The man with the machine gun fired several shots in the air
while the other, stood near the driver’s door and fired continually at his
target. Five bullets were pumped, at close range, into her head and body.
Forensic investigation of the scene exposed that the shots were fired so close
that gunpowder residue was found on Seetahal’s face and clothing[2].
Strangely, the reason for her assassination is still under investigation.[3]
It can be said that the heinous act was a well-planned assassination.
The graffiti expresses the pain the community endured after
their great loss. This creative artwork is the voice of the people of Port of
Spain, expressing their emotions about this tragic accident. Trinidad and
Tobago was shaken after news of the murder of this great icon surfaced. The
region reeled from the assassination. It struck the heart of the city and sent
shock waves across the criminal justice system, crippling the office holders
with fear.
The colours portrayed and the angel in the image represents
that the personality she possessed was a calm- spirited, easy going and humble
one and that she is peacefully resting in the heavens. The love and warmth
towards her is conveyed by the painted hearts along the wall and the flowers
symbolises beauty and condolences towards her and her loved ones. When one
passes and observes this creative piece it evokes feelings of grief, as they’re
taken back to the memory of the tragic event.
In the urban, even though segregation remains an issue
within society, there is still unity in times like these. Therefore, we all
thrive to create safer environments for our communities.
Her contribution will forever be a memory as she impacted on
lives and sought justice for those who were deserving of it. This is what led
to the creation of this memorial piece stating, “DANA… NOT GONE, NOT LOST”.
Her legacy remains…
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| The late Dana Seetahal. |
[1] "Tribute
to Dana Seetahal." Tribute to Dana Seetahal. May 2014. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. http://www.guardian.co.tt/tribute-dana-seetahal
[2] "T&T
in Shock and Disbelief after Fearless Prosecutor Dana Seetahal Gunned down -
Latest News." Jamaica Observer News. May 5, 2014. Accessed March 12, 2016.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/T-amp-T-in-shock-and-disbelief-after-fearless-prosecutor-Dana-Seetahal-gunned-down.
[3] "Dana
Seetahal Murdered." Trinidad and Tobago News Blog RSS. 04 May 2014. Web.
10 Mar. 2016. http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=8158.
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