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Thousands turn out for trade unionist’s funeral in Guadeloupe

by Sarah Elzas

Article published on the 2009-02-23 Latest update 2009-02-23 15:20 TU

A Musician blows a conch shell during the funeral march, a symbol of the emancipation of slavery.
(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

Negotiations between union leaders and employers on the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe were suspended over the weekend for the funeral ceremony oftrade unionist Jacques Bino, who was shot dead last week. The talks are set to resume Monday morning, to try to end a month-long general strike that has crippled the island. Bino was killed Tuesday night at a barricade by a bullet whose origin is yet to be identified, although police insist that they did not fire it.

Report: Jacques Bino's funeral in Petit Canal

23/02/2009 by Sarah Elzas

Report: Sarah Elzas, Strike Negotiations in Guadeloupe

23/02/2009 by Chris Thompson

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Thousands of people wearing white and black – colours of mourning - crowded into a gym at Petit Canal, about 30 kilometres north of Pointe-à-Pitre, for the funeral service. Before the religious ceremony, union members and politicians gave speeches, and community members sang songs and read poems, often quite political in nature.

Choir members sit before the ceremony begins
(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

Moderators reminded the crowd to keep things apolitical, but strike leaders made speeches that made it clear that the ceremony was not so much about Bino as about what he stood for. Strike leader Elie Domota reminded everyone that the fight must go on.

After the mass, the crowd accompanied the casket across town to the cemetery.

Musicians accompany the funeral parade
(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

Some blew conch shells, symbols of the emancipation of slavery
(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

Thousands of people accompanied the casket to the cemetery, lead by union members
(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

Strikers have been demanding changes to Guadeloupe’s economy, with a focus on a 200-euro-a-month wage increase for low-paid workers. On Friday, negotiations with employers were suspended over the weekend. They are set to resume Monday morning.