Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Friday | June 26, 2009
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August Town peace treaty still holding
Ryon Jones, Online News Writer

She has been an emotional wreck since her brother, Errol Brown, was killed by gunmen.

Brown's slaying came days before a peace treaty was signed between rival factions, closing another chapter in the volatile community of August Town, St Andrew, a year ago.

With the tears welling up in her eyes, Sharon Brown declared March 18 a day of mourning. It was a year to that day that her little brother had been killed.

Sharon was among hundreds of residents who turned up outside the Haven of Hope Open Bible Church in the community while a thanksgiving service in recognition of the peace treaty took place.

The gesture has prevented reprisal killings in the August Town community.

Sharon says her bother met his death just because they could not catch someone else they were after.

Counselling

"My nerves were shot and I couldn't even use my hands for a while. When I went to doctor they said it was stress and suggested counselling." She did not go as she believed counselling would not help.

She just wanted revenge.

"If no one else did not do it, I was going to mess up someone. When the peace treaty sign mi just decide fi hold it."

She remembers her bother as a "peaceful youth, very helpful; so when dem hurt him, they hurt mi. They crushed him, is like mi entire body dem crush".

She is also of the opinion that the passing of her brother helped to kill her baby father.

"The Saturday before he died, he was complaining that he was so tired and that if Earl (her bother) was here he would not be so tired."

He died the Wednesday morning, a month before she marked the anniversary of her bother's death. "The doctor said he died from overwork, it swelled his heart and gave him an immediate heart attack."

Despite applauding the impact of the peace treaty on the community, Sharon still did not attend the thanksgiving service.

Many adults followed her example.

Those there were most disappointed that the adults were absent.

Edward Perrier, a community worker said, "Why are we here? The persons who are involved for us to be here are not here."

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