If you've been watching 7News recently - you should know all about the state of diplomatic affairs between Belize and Guatemala, as well as the compassionate payment Government plans to make to the family of Guatemalan Francisco Quinn Yat.
It has generated a good deal of public comment - and much of it is angry, because of the Guatemalan hardline and because Belize will pay - form public funds - the family of a Guatemalan trespasser who could have killed a BDF soldier.
Now, a new group says they intend to do more than just talk. The Belize Coalition For Justice, formed from the collective of - they say - 30 activist groups held a press conference today at the Radisson.
As we found out, there was plenty of fire unleashed on Elrington and his government in general.
Here's more:
Micah Goodin - Spokesperson, Nation Builders
"Give me your ears, or deliver to me, my death, as I welcome to you, the second Belizean revolution, being led by the Belize Coalition for Justice."
We've heard of a velvet revolution but this seemed more like a carpet revolution - certainly the first "revolution" to be launched from the top floor of a hotel conference room, the air-conditioned confines barely able to contain the roiling revolutionary invective:
Micah Goodin
"The revolution will sit on your doorsteps. It will invite itself into your homes. It will watch over you while you sleep. For too long, we've been sleeping. Wake up before your sleep turns into a coma. Belize is in dire need of a second revolution."
We're not quite sure when the first revolution happened, but if it was the peaceful constructive one - then this da no dat!
Micah Goodin
"Those that are not ready, or are not willing to fight will be trampled, and I make no apologies. They will be trampled."
But aside from the revolutionary talk, there was real talk, cold talk about foreign minister Wilfred Elrington:
Giovanni Brackett - Belize Coalition for Justice
"We here demand that the Prime Minister remove him for his many blunders on such a delicate national, international issue."
Elrington drew ire when he outlined the diplomatic crisis faced by Belize in its relations with Guatemala and his plan to pay a compassionate grant to the family of Francisco Quinn Yat.
Giovanni Brackett
"No compensation to Guatemalan subverters and families, we condemn in the strongest possible terms, the statement of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, who plans to give hard-earned Belizean tax payers money as an act of compassion to the family of an official subvertor of our sovereignty. We will say no compensation to any Guatemalan family, not now, not ever."
"No" also to the ICJ - they've got pins - and they launched their campaign:
Paco Smith - Belize Coalition for Justice
"It simply says 'ICJ' with that signal through it. No ICJ, bottom line, that's what we're saying"
Giovanni Brackett
"The ICJ is not, and will never be, the way forward for our nation."
Paco Smith
"The OAS is saying, 'You know what, boss? Take this thing to the ICJ, and let them decide.' Excuse my language, but what the hell for, right? I am not giving up what I already have in order to appease Guatemala or the Secretary General Insulza. This is ridiculous."
And of course, even the proposals to go to the ICJ is seen as one more act of perfidy:
Patrick Menzies - Belize Coalition for Justice
"A government whose character is dust-marked by every act which may define tyranny and ineptitude is unfit to continue its rule over our free people. We have full power to recall, remove and punish any and all despots."
But, lest you confuse these strident declarations with something political and the presence of a former PUP minister, a failed PUP Candidate, and an unsuccessful independent candidate makes you suspicious, worry not:
Hector Silva - Facillitator, Bze Coalition For Justice
"This idea is totally non-political."
Not political in the traditional sense he must have meant - because when she finally managed to get the dominating Don Hector off the mic, Nancy Marin read the quiet riot act for us right out of Anne Marie's textbook:
Nancy Marin - National Coordinator of the Coalition
"And for Mr. Jules, I want to educate him a little bit more. Politics is a science of service. It is a beautiful career. The politicians that we have known in Belize have corrupted that science, and have not served the people. And you speak of politicians and try to demean them, like asking us about that, because that's what you're used to. That's what you're surrounded by. So, we forgive you for that, and I hope you can learn something from today."
We sure did learn something - that this coalition, egalitarian and enlightened in all its craftings - has no leader - they are all leaders as they explained - but finding followers will be the real test.
Giovanni Brackett
"This is a movement, and if out of this movement are born leaders who will run for office, then praise God."
Hallelujah, and today they got the 50 supporters assembled in the room to sign a declaration - though we are not sure to whom it will be declared - they seemed happy enough to have gotten off the ground - and raised some hell about an issue not immune to fear-mongering:
Giovanni Brackett
"But let it be known to any government of the day or future, that Belizeans will stand up, and we will not bend. We will not compromise to Guatemala. We will let everyone know that this is our Nation. If Belize is yours, let me hear it. This is our country, and any foreign minister that is not going to negotiate with strength, and any foreign minister that will not adhere to the Belizean demands, has to be removed, and be removed forthwith. Or you can get the understanding that we will take it to Belmopan."
No word on when that trip to Belmopan is planned for, but we hope to be in the front seat!
The Coalition claims the membership of thirty organization but could not list those today.
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