Dear Editor,
When Rev Al Miller told us that his attempt to take Christopher “Dudus” Coke to the United States Embassy was part of a plan created with then Police Commissioner Owen Ellington and some members of the police high command, very, very few Jamaicans believed him.
At the time, Jamaica was in a chaotic state; turmoil and uncertainty were the order of the day. In the aftermath of the security forces’ operation into Tivoli Gardens over 70 Jamaicans were dead. Everyone was fearful. Then added to this was the killing of Keith Clarke by members of the security force. The message was clear to some that there was no plan to take Coke in alive.
If Tivoli Gardens was the “mother of all garrisons” then Dudus was the don of dons. The fear surrounding him was palpable. Into this potpourri of uncertainty ventured the Rev Al Miller, the flamboyant pastor of Faith Tabernacle. Neither Rev Devon Dick nor Rev Garnett Roper offered themselves to save Jamaica from further bloodshed. In fact, no Jamaican would venture such a deadly thought as it was fraught with danger. Today, both Dick and Roper appear brave, but when Jamaica needed them they were silent.
But either Miller was a complete idiot or a man whose faith in God surpassed all other men of the cloth. He was Daniel entering the lion’s den or a youthful shepherd boy named David facing Goliath. He accepted the offer. What he didn’t know was that he would be betrayed by those he trusted. Miller would never be given the notoriety of having taken in a man who had caused so much fear, death and destruction on the Jamaican state. The glory would have to go to the police commissioner and his men. That was cast in stone.
Dudus knew the fate that awaited him. His father’s famous last words on tape rang out. Jim Brown would never be allowed to tell the corrupt secrets of his political masters, someone shut his mouth permanently in an unending mystery.
The final chapter in one of the worst periods in Jamaica’s history is still to be written. I urge Al Miller to reveal all: Where did he pick up Dudus? Who was sheltering him? To whom did he speak specifically?
Al Miller, like National Hero Marcus Garvey has a criminal record, history will be kind to him. His bravery must be rewarded.
Mark Clarke
Siloah PO, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
When Rev Al Miller told us that his attempt to take Christopher “Dudus” Coke to the United States Embassy was part of a plan created with then Police Commissioner Owen Ellington and some members of the police high command, very, very few Jamaicans believed him.
At the time, Jamaica was in a chaotic state; turmoil and uncertainty were the order of the day. In the aftermath of the security forces’ operation into Tivoli Gardens over 70 Jamaicans were dead. Everyone was fearful. Then added to this was the killing of Keith Clarke by members of the security force. The message was clear to some that there was no plan to take Coke in alive.
If Tivoli Gardens was the “mother of all garrisons” then Dudus was the don of dons. The fear surrounding him was palpable. Into this potpourri of uncertainty ventured the Rev Al Miller, the flamboyant pastor of Faith Tabernacle. Neither Rev Devon Dick nor Rev Garnett Roper offered themselves to save Jamaica from further bloodshed. In fact, no Jamaican would venture such a deadly thought as it was fraught with danger. Today, both Dick and Roper appear brave, but when Jamaica needed them they were silent.
But either Miller was a complete idiot or a man whose faith in God surpassed all other men of the cloth. He was Daniel entering the lion’s den or a youthful shepherd boy named David facing Goliath. He accepted the offer. What he didn’t know was that he would be betrayed by those he trusted. Miller would never be given the notoriety of having taken in a man who had caused so much fear, death and destruction on the Jamaican state. The glory would have to go to the police commissioner and his men. That was cast in stone.
Dudus knew the fate that awaited him. His father’s famous last words on tape rang out. Jim Brown would never be allowed to tell the corrupt secrets of his political masters, someone shut his mouth permanently in an unending mystery.
The final chapter in one of the worst periods in Jamaica’s history is still to be written. I urge Al Miller to reveal all: Where did he pick up Dudus? Who was sheltering him? To whom did he speak specifically?
Al Miller, like National Hero Marcus Garvey has a criminal record, history will be kind to him. His bravery must be rewarded.
Mark Clarke
Siloah PO, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com