7 News Belize

COLA/BFJ Keep Squatters Issue On Frontburner
posted (June 7, 2011)
The squatters dominated the news last week - and, this week, just as the voracious news cycle was about to leave them behind, COLA and Belizeans For Justice put together a protest march through the city.

They say they have to keep up the public pressure, because the squatters "deserve" some accommodation from government. And while you might not agree with that sense of entitlement - you've gotta love the spirit that they put on the street this morning. 7news was there at the Constitution Park when things got started:

Jules Vasquez Reporting:

Yolanda Schakron - President, Belizeans For Justice
"It's important to have a good showing because I belize that we need to show the Government that we are united. There are different causes out here being representated. This is just a small demonstration; we didn't have a lot of time to plan it. So I think that this is just a preview of coming attractions. This is the preview."

Jules Vasquez
"Okay, but we know how politicians are. They only start to pay attention when the crowd breaks a thousand."

Yolanda Schakron
"No problem, we will get that for them. We will bring out the thousand."

Jules Vasquez
"But you won't bring that out to them today."

Yolanda Schakron
"Not today."

Not today indeed, a crowd of 90 marched through the streets but not through the center of town - because they were told that the Supreme Court was in session - so the permit was granted for a route that took them through the west end of the southside.

Nontheless, they made the most of it - at the height of the morning -

Jules Vasquez
"Why do you see it as important that people take part in this march?"

Felipe Martinez - Leader of squatters removed
"Yes, because this is an injustice, what the Government decided to do, and this is why we come out here. To make him understand that we need somewere to go, because stay there; we have a camp there. We have a camp where we are right now and we living there."

Jules Vasquez
"So the Department of Social Services is offering accomodations to these people."

Felipe Martinez
"Yes, but it's only for 3 persons in the area. So we can't agree about this , because the houses that they broke is not only 3."

Jules Vasquez
"But Felipe, at the same time, people sympatize with you all, but a lot of people aren't with you all because what you did is illegal. Every Belizean knows that you can't squat and expect to remain there forever. And you got warning."

Felipe Martinez
"The thing is, the way that they did it is not correct, and this not only us. Maybe the looks at us as though we are Spanish, and they try to do it, but you see, the thing is that all of Belize City is built up out of squatters. Why didn't they do this before, with them?"

Moses Sulph, President COLA
"We want to see the persons whose houses were destroyed that they are given some other option, some other location. Whether it be in the vicinity or-"

Jules Vasquez
"All outward indications are that won't happen. You've heard what the Government had to say."

Moses Sulph
"Well I am sure that governments always say what they want to say, but it's up to the people. As I said before, it is up to the people to stand up for what they believe they deserve."

Jules Vasquez
"While public sympathy is not with the squatters, the sense I get is that a lot of people aren't with them on the issue, because you can't squat. Everybody wants land. If everybody went and squatted, what would happen?"

Moses Sulph
"Okay, you saying that we can't squat. I am saying that we're not supposed to squat, if the system is working for us where they issue land through the Lands Department, then we won't need to squat."

We didn't hear a chorus of approval for that LOGIC coming from bystanders or see a gaggle of spectators - but it could be that they are unaccustomed to the sight of protestors leading a procession at 11:00 in the morning.

The protest though, wasn't a single issue event - the Sewell family came out for brothers Gary and Mark who are being held pending extradition:

Jose Sanchez, Channel 5 News
"You're looking for your sons to be friend right?"

Ervin Sewell, Father of Gary and Mark Sewell
"Definitely, because they aren't doing justice in the court. They justice failed us, as far as I can see."

Floyd Davis, Sewell Friend
"All that he is asking for is that the Government gives Mark and Gary Sewell due process, which every Belizean-born have a right to. That are not looking for any "hands out" or anything like that. We want the system to work for Mark and Gary, just like how the system works for red and other people, you understand. 4 1/2 years, that's a long time, they didn't commit murder, and the law states under the Belize Constitution, the only person who are not entitled to bail, is an accused murderer. Mary and Gary are not accused murderers, ladies and gentlemen. And the Belizean people need to know that that is our son; that is our kid. They are Belizean; if they can't get justice here, home in Belize, you know when they go to America, I am telling you, they are dead. Guess why? Because I lived it. I lived it; they are dead. That's 30 years; how can a 41 year-old man spends 30 years over there. That's death."

Moses Sulph "We have to show that there's too much injustices happening to our people. And as you can see, yes we're out here to support those who were affected by their houses being destroyed, however, we realize that there are too much issues that is affecting us in this nation."

And Sulph says as long as the injustices continue, so too will the marches:

Moses Sulph
"And if we have to do this every week. If we have to do this weekly, daily, then that's what we are going to do."

Principally, the protest went through Dolphin and Fairweather streets, Caesar Ridge Road, Central American Boulevard and Cemetery Road.

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