By Aja Beyai
Fantanka, in collaboration with Anda Don Bena, held a moving tree-planting ceremony at Tobacco Road in Banjul to commemorate the victims of the April 10-11, 2000 student demonstrations. The event, a poignant tribute to those lost and affected, saw fifteen trees planted, each named after a victim, symbolizing lives cut short in the tragic events.
The ceremony, set in the heart of Banjul, underscored the importance of remembering the past to prevent its recurrence. Representatives from Fantanka and Anda Don Bena delivered heartfelt speeches, urging reflection and dialogue on youth participation in shaping The Gambia’s future.
Awa Dacosta, Fantanka’s outreach coordinator, emphasized the memorial’s purpose, connecting the tree-planting to educating younger generations about the massacre. “These trees stand for lives lost and our commitment to ensure such a tragedy never happens again,” she said.
Modoulamin B Bah, National Assembly member for Banjul North, marked the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, calling for swift implementation of the 2023 Reparation Act to support survivors. He praised the initiative’s dual role in honoring victims and addressing climate change, noting, “These trees keep their legacy alive.”
Malik, vice-president of Anda Don Bena, spoke of the collective pain still felt across The Gambia, reinforcing the need to preserve the memory of April 10-11, even decades later.
As the trees took root, the ceremony united the community in shared grief and resolve. The event served as both a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made and a call to action to prevent future tragedies, ensuring the victims’ legacy endures.
