Cyclists made several rounds around downtown Christiansted in memory of Walton “Selah” Macedon. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
Crucians on bicycles were out in numbers on Thursday evening for a memorial ride out paying tribute to Walton “Selah” Macedon, one of the founding members of cycling club Mango Tree Riders. Mr. Macedon was gunned down as he was setting out on October 20 for his customary Sunday ride.
Cyclists and drivers congregated in the Water Ghut area, and under the supervision of Virgin Islands Police Department officers, prepared to make several circuits around town in memory of their fallen friend. “I love to see the amount of people that are here…just people coming out to support,” said one woman on her bike, who joined the Mango Tree Riders about a year ago.
The tragic death of the 67-year-old Macedon has left the community reeling, and has yet again placed a spotlight on the stark reality of rampant gun crime in the territory. Officers present on the scene, while vowing justice for the slain man, implored members of the community to share any information they may have about this or other homicides.
As participants and onlookers gathered, the rhythmic beating of drums filled the evening air, marking the beginning of the ride out about 7:00 p.m. Under the watchful eye of VIPD Sergeant Arthur Joseph, the procession headed from Water Gut towards the Basin Triangle, then into downtown in the area of Times Square. From there, the riders circled the town three times before returning to their starting point.
Known as a man who brings people together, the death of Mr. Macedon left the community puzzled many, with one cyclist telling the Consortium that he and others were still struggling to piece together why someone would exact such a heinous act of violence on an elder known as a uniting force.
The ride out, organizers hope, will bring awareness to the surging gun violence in the USVI, a decades-long problem that has shown little improvement. This year, the territory has already experienced 36 homicides.
