In a show of unity, members of the Fox Hill Original Congos and other residents of the Fox Hill community marched and 'rushed' on Bay Street yesterday in honor of the victims of a December 27 shooting.

Instead of the customary colorful costumes, many of the group members wore T-shirts bearing the names and images of the victims who were killed.

Few smiled and many cried. The group's lead banner had a message of appreciation.

"The Fox Hill community thanks God for those who are recovering and [spared] from harm's way -- Tunde Davis, Samuel Ferguson, Jermaine Pratt, Benjamin Demeritte, Janet Davis, John Davis and Leroy Taylor," the banner read.

Those are the names of the seven people injured during the incident, some of whom are members of the group. Another banner also listed the names of the dead.

A group of young people marched behind the banner. They were followed by the choreography section. The girls wore bright pink shirts and rocked side to side.

A group of adults held hands and comforted each other as they paid tribute to the deceased. The New Year's rush came five days after the shooting.

Just after 6 p.m. on Friday, occupants of a dark gray Honda drove to the Fox Hill roundabout and shot into a crowd, according to police.

The group was gathered near the Original Congos Junkanoo Shack waiting for the Junkanoo results for the B group category, The Nassau Guardian understands.

Shequille Demeritte, 19; Eric Morrison, 49; Claudzeno Davis, 37; and Sheniqua Sands, 30, were shot and killed in that incident. Davis and Sands were members of the Congos.

Demeritte, who was playing basketball at the time of the shooting, was shot in the head, according to eyewitnesses.

Morrison was reportedly shot as he pushed a man in a wheelchair.

One member of the group told The Nassau Guardian yesterday that the 'rush' represented a show of unity.

"We will always remember those who died," he said.

"Every time we rush, we will rush in their honor." With arms raised, many group members sang "I'll Fly Away" and "In the name of Jesus".

Holding hands as they marched, several women became emotional. One woman screamed loudly, questioning why this happened. Members then began to chant "Fox Hill".

"We will prevail," one member shouted. The Congos had initially set their theme as Colors of Emancipation.

The group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary as the Original Congos, intended to "combine the culture of Junkanoo with the celebration of freedom expressed by our ancestors in Africa".

However, the group decided to abandon that in order to dedicate its performance to the victims of the shooting.

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