By Kurt Campbell
kurt@newsroom.gy
In a unified wave of sorrow and fury, Guyanese across the country have risen in protest, mourning the tragic loss of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose body was discovered at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. Her death, surrounded by unanswered questions and perceived institutional failures, has ignited a firestorm of national outrage that continues to escalate.
What began as a desperate search on Wednesday for a missing child has quickly evolved into a national reckoning. Crowds stood watch outside the hotel overnight with her grieving parents. That vigil has since grown into a nationwide movement, galvanised further by the heart-wrenching confirmation of Adrianna’s death and the grim circumstances surrounding it.
Protesters filled the streets on Thursday, with more gathering on Friday outside the Leonora Police Station, where the owners hotel’s remain in custody. Their cries for justice echo through the nation—but perhaps the loudest voices are being heard online – where Guyanese of all backgrounds have condemned not just the tragedy, but the manner in which the authorities handled it.
The Guyana Police Force, facing severe public backlash, has admitted to releasing inaccurate information. The initial statement claimed that CCTV footage had shown Adrianna entering a red and black motorcar—an assertion that was later retracted. This retraction has only deepened public mistrust, with growing fears of a cover-up and calls for accountability.
From the halls of government to the comments of everyday citizens, outrage has spilled onto social media. President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo have both publicly rebuked the police’s mishandling of the case, pledging full support to ensure the truth is uncovered and that those responsible—regardless of rank—are brought to justice.
The nation’s collective grief is palpable. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have become digital memorials and platforms for justice.
John Edghill wrote: “The image of the father in the pool cradling the lifeless body of his daughter continues to permeate my mind. Negligence wrapped in uniforms and duty abandoned at the altar of carelessness, greed, and other evils. I offer my prayers to the family and a nation in pain.”
Attorney Sase Gunraj echoed similar sentiments:
“Whenever the Guyana Police Force blunders, the citizens suffer the brunt and the Government is blamed.”
Private citizens have poured out their emotions, articulating the helplessness and horror that has consumed them.
Shaniya De Costa wrote:
“Words can’t even describe the situation… A total stranger’s story has totally consumed me. No matter how many words I tried to put together, they weren’t enough. They didn’t convey enough pain.”
Journalist Alva Solomon penned:
“Guyana’s daughter… Regardless of race, creed, or political standing—we all woke up with this angel on our minds. We hope those responsible, including the police commander who tried to cover up your death, are dealt with severely—not only by the system, but by the Father.”
Even religious institutions have broken their silence, offering condolences while condemning the perceived injustices surrounding the case.
Minister Vindhya Persaud stated:
“I stand with the parents, the family of Adrianna Younge, and with the community in their time of grief and pain.”
The circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s death are as painful as they are perplexing. She had been at the hotel’s pool on Wednesday, yet multiple searches of the premises yielded nothing until her body was found the following day. Questions abound: How was she missed? Was there a deliberate effort to mislead investigators? And who will be held accountable?
Fiery protests have followed. Demonstrators blocked main roads and torched both the hotel and the residence of its owner. There is no sign that the public’s fury will wane anytime soon. The demand is clear: justice must be served—and swiftly.
As Guyana mourns its lost daughter, it also finds itself at a crossroads. Adrianna Younge’s name now symbolises more than a tragedy—it is a rallying cry for justice, transparency, and reform in a system many believe has failed the people it is meant to protect.
This one will not slide.
The post ‘This One Will Not Slide’ – Guyanese united as a nation demanding answers appeared first on News Room Guyana.
