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Thankfully, though it was neither violent nor deadly - but it almost got there - Monica Bodden found out why when she headed north…..

Monica Bodden Reporting
This was what it looked like this morning at Mile 50 on the Northern Highway - which is called the Posito Area. Tires were being burnt in the middle of the road while buses lined across the road - strictly NO access was permitted.

Crowds of commuters and supporters converged on the area. Everyone in solidarity with the bus drivers.

There were several attempts made by police to try and negotiate with the drivers and supporters to remove the buses from across the highway and give access to the flow of traffic.

Protestor
"This is peaceful."

Police Officer
"We are not out here for ...... but we have our duties to preserve law and order to right, so we have to come here and see what is happening, We can't just allow you to block the traffic and we stay back and do nothing."

Protestor
"This is a peaceful protest."

Police Officer
"The people are looking to create a small situation into a big situation, that's what we are trying to avoid. We are not out here for any violence, we are here to check out the situation, the road is block and the police have to do something about it."

But that didn't shake these drivers. In fact they refused to move the buses until they get the go ahead from their President - Thomas Shaw - who was in a meeting with Prime Minister Barrow at the time.

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"As you can see I was ready to go to court this morning when I met the situation and bus owners quickly retain my services to represent them as attorney at law for them - to defend their interest in this thing and certainly from what has been explain to me - this is much a bread and butter issue. Bus operators that have been operating for many years - for decades are suddenly by a single decision by a minister of transport - a single signature are being deprive of their livelihood and being deprive of their ability to put food on the table for themselves and their children and to pay off their loans and to send their children to school - meet all their expenses. These are regular people just like me and you and of course I am very sympathetic towards their cause because how shucks how can a responsible government make a harsh decision like this without properly consulting with the people and without trying to see what will be negative consequence of upon people like these. the commuters included that have rely on decades on the services of Cabrera's, upon the services of Chells busses and all those other bus lines so it really and truly an injustice what is taking place here but you know something I am not surprise given to we have been meeting in Orange Walk East. This is no surprise to me. So what is happening then is that I certainly as an attorney at law as the Orange Walk East area representative and as someone who has suffered from the victimization of this current government. I stand in solidarity with these gentlemen."

5 drivers were taken away to the Orange walk police station.

Monica Bodden
"Have you guys been threaten by the police?"

Driver "Yes."

Protester
"They threaten a bus drive and they lock him up. They took another 4 of them to lock up. They took Mr. Chell's son also."

Driver
"We are waiting for the call of Mr. Shaw the president of the association. As long as he tells us yes - he is negotiating right now with the Prime Minister and Mr. Hulse. We don't know what they are negotiating right now but we are negotiating right now for our cause. We are begging tis government to analyze and see it along with us and come clear with paper and writing on when we can go through with the negotiation."

John Briceno, Opposition Leader
"Certainly we are out here with the solidarity of the bus owners. I think what we are seeing here today is a direct manifestation of a government that is out of touch with the people and what is actually happening on the ground. It is unfortunate that is has come to this. I think that the bus owners have been expressing frustration in negotiating with the government for some time. They have been expressing their concerns and frustration without no goodwill on the part of the government. The last time around the minister promise them a 21 days moratorium only to find out that a few days later that was change on the Sunday. I think that we in the PUP have always been clear that we are always on the side of the Belizean people, we are very concern when it comes to the protection of people's jobs and in this case investments of these small bus owners. Many of them have their homes at steak and here with the stroke of a pen the minister is pretty much could very well take away not only their bus lines but even their homes."

Commuter
"Personally this is my take. I take my bus and it takes me all the way over by either North Front Street Holy Redeemer or by the bus stop right across Swing Bridge. When I take Venus or any of the other busses they drop me at the terminal and have to walk from there with a heavy bag and all the danger of the city to walk all the way down to school. That can't be working and I get up every single day so that I can take my bus and go there. The bus system is working. There is no problem there, I am willing to pay whatever they are charging because some of the busses are charging $4.50, $5.00. I will pay whatever it is. The thing is that you just need make sure that you arrive on time. When I take other busses I reach late at school."

Kevin Bernard
"This morning as you know we were travelling to Orange Walk, there are 4 busses that block off the street. The bus owners in Orange Walk have decided to also take a stand with the people in the west and south. They feel that the decisions that have been made by the minister and the ministry of transport is not something in the best interest of the people here in the north so they are taking a stand. If you notice there are tires burning on the highway. The police are out here to try to keep calm and order but some of the decisions that the police are doing is that they are trying to take action by force and I think we need to make sure that things are resolve more amicable and people get around the table and sit down and discuss to see where they can take this thing forward."

John Briceno, Opposition Leader
"For me what is more important at this time is for us to be able to keep calm. We need to make sure that it does not become violent and to point out to them that they are not alone in this and that the Belizean people are on their side and that the People's United Party are on their side. We have been with communications with them and we should be meeting with them later today and before the end of the day to take out an official statement in solidarity and in support of the rights of the bus owners association."

Commuter
"I'm with them when it comes to taking the license away arbitrarily without asking them and my point is that is something is working why bringing something else. You want to bring in another bus service - fine bring it in. The people will see which bus service is giving the best service and will go with that one. After the more bus lines there are the better it is for us the customer, because then we have to pick and choose and we have to get what we are asking for."

And then the crowd heard that the riot squad from Belize City was on their way and so they began preparing for the worst.

Stones were stockpiled and the fire blazed higher. Even though they wanted a calm demonstration, they were prepared for whatever came their way.

After 5 hours of blocking the highway - the drivers received a call from the president of the Bus Operators Association.

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"So you are saying that the message to the people from Orange Walk - from the north here that are assemble here by "posito" area is for us to disperse. Is that correct?"

Thomas Shaw, President BBOC
"Yes for you guys to disperse from the scene. This thing with the Chuc's bus line - personality the Prime Minister stated that he wasn't aware of what the minister was doing and he is going to bend back in order to resolve this situation."

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"And you believe the Prime Minister?"

Thomas Shaw, President BBOC
"We are having a press conference and I'll be on the air and it is confirm that myself and they guy from BBOC have been there."

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"According to the Prime Minister it was given without his approval. He is not in approval with what Minister Hulse has been doing when it comes to these changes in relations to bus runs etc. and that the Prime Minister is open to negotiations with the bus operators and basically I believe that Mr. Shaw was echoing the request of the Prime Minister that the road way be open up to a free flow of traffic once again and this was the telephone call that we have indicated to the police that we have been waiting for from this morning so it has come through and I believe that believe if the Prime Minister have given that commitment to the bus operators - it's not just Minister Hulse, it's no longer the Deputy Prime Minister it is the highest ranking public official in the land."

And so the roadway was opened. The buses moved one by one … while a fire truck extinguished the burning tires on the highway.

Traffic soon began flowing once more… And what happened to the men who were taken away to the police station - and where awaiting charges?

Superintendent Alford Grinage
"Don't put that as part of the commitment. This is what was we were dealing with. That part will deal with itself. We will find out from the officer if we will commit anything. Let that speak for itself, don't let that a part of it."

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"But let me ask this then, can I have a commitment that at least if charges have been put they will offer police bail today?"

Superintendent Alford Grinage
"If they are to be charge yes."

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"But I am asking you, you are the negotiator of behalf of the police."

Superintendent Alford Grinage
"We are not negotiating. What happen is that if they commit themself the officer is going to deal with it today."

Marcel Cardona, Attorney
"But will they offer police bail because the magistrate - my understanding is that magistrate will not be in office today."

Superintendent Alford Grinage
"Well I can't answer on that. We are going to look into that when we reach Orange Walk."

There was also a blockage of the Burrell Boom Bridge which was dramatic if for no other reason than the manner in which the busses were moved - we'll tell you about that a little later on.