Dozens of Hopkins Residents Take to the Streets to Protest Augustine’s Murder

On Monday, teacher Josephine Augustine was brutally murdered in her home in the quiet community of Hopkins. She was beaten and stabbed to death. Her husband Dudley Augustine, a retired teacher, was beaten and left lying in a pool of blood, fighting for life. The violent crime has shocked the tranquil, humble village which is struggling to come to grips with the fact that life is changing for them. Residents feel that it is time to send a message, and they were joined by colleagues, friends and family members of Josephine Augustine. They marched on the streets of Hopkins to bid farewell to the well loved teacher. But more than that, they marched in a united cry for peace and justice. Our News Five team was in Hopkins and has the story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

At two p.m. today, about one hundred and fifty residents of Hopkins and colleagues of Josephine Augustine from Dangriga gathered to say goodbye to their friend, and to stand up against the violence which took her away from them, and left her husband in the hospital fighting for life. They left from Sandy Beach, and stopped first at the home of the Augustine’s, where they shared a moment of prayer. The sun was hot and the day bright, but still they lit candles, and left some lit near the home in a touching farewell to Josephine Augustine. And then they marched, with signs calling for an end to crime and violence, and begging for justice and peace. It was an emotional time, especially for this man, one of the first to enter the home after the brutal home invasion.

Wayge Nunez

Wayge Nunez, Protestor

“I’m out here today to demonstrate for peace because I was one of the first responders to the scene. I was actually the second person who saw Miss Josey in the kitchen after she was murdered; I am still emotional right now.”

Others, like Shawn Fernandez, worked closely with Josephine Augustine, and are paying tribute to her memory. Her violent death was an insult, and a reminder that there is little safety and security left in our once peaceful country.

Shawn Fernandez

Shawn Fernandez, Protestor

“People need to be safe in their homes. You’re in your house and you expect to be safe, but you’re not even safe in your home. So I am just here against crime.”

Maureen Melendrez Arzu, Protestor

“I think it is time and over time that our law enforcement officers exercise some control over this massive wave of violence that has been plaguing our society for all these years. I believe that it is time and over time that we take a stand and we unit for a just cause.”

The residents are not depending on the Police for assistance, or calling for help from afar. They are looking to each other, and calling for the community to come together, every man and woman their brothers’ and sister’s keeper.

Francis Flores

Francis Flores, Protestor

“I personally feel that it is time for members of the community to get together to look after themselves; be your brother’s keeper. As a matter of fact, as I am speaking to you now, there will be a meeting with members of the community on the south side to organize themselves into a neighbourhood watch group. This next Thursday at six p.m.”

Wayge Nunez

“Let’s come together and watch out for one another because Hopkins is getting too popular and there are a lot of people coming into the village and we don’t know who is who. People are just hiring people and don’t know who they are and sometimes these same people who they hire are the same people who are giving trouble out here….killing people and doing a lot of crazy things here.”

Mike Rudon for News Five.