7 News Belize

Senior Superintendent calls garbage vandalizing indecent
posted (August 4, 2014)
But while the contract talk happens at the executive level - on the ground, nearly 50 BML workers are facing charges tonight.

As we showed you, Police were waiting on Queen Street to arrest them all after they left from in front of city hall. So, tonight 44 are facing charges of loitering, staging a public gathering with no permit, and littering.

Second in command of Eastern Division Edward Broaster made the decision to charge them - and in an interview at the Raccoon Street station this evening, he explained why:..

Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, 2nd in Command - Eastern Div.
"When I went there and I saw what I saw it's a real public indecency for us to be conducting ourselves in that way. I warned them, I told them there is a legal way to conduct such demonstration. And I warn them to remove the garbage and to move about their lawful business and they refused. So they were given sufficient warning to remove the garbage and to remove themselves from the street and they refused to do so. so we then escorted them to the Queen Street Police Station where all 44 persons were arrested and charged for participating in a unlawful public meeting."

Jules Vasquez
"We have seen in the past, do you recall the spontaneous Chinese protest that happen some year ago that no one was charged for that. Why did you all take a decision to charge?"

Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, 2nd in Command - Eastern Div.
"I have nothing to do with the Chinese protest. What I saw today is a complete public indecency that occurred and anyone that supports, advocates, or lobby for such actions to be taken is not a Belizean. I mean that's just atrocious for one to be throwing garbage in the middle of the street to send a message. No man, if you want to do that, you come in, you get a permit to demonstrate to have a public meeting and you get your placards and you do what you have to do. While they were being moved from the location they continue to throw garbage from out the trucks onto the streets on North Front Street. This is no way for us to be acting as citizens of this city. The very people who clean our streets are the very people that will be throwing the garbage and doing this outrageous public indecency - I have no regret for arresting and charging them."

Jules Vasquez
"Will you all allow them to protest in light of what has happen on this first day?"

Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, 2nd in Command - Eastern Div.
"In light of what happen today Jules, we will have to assess whether or not they will be granted license or permit to demonstrate because if this is the behavior on the first day they are going to demonstrate in fighting for their rights then I don't see them getting any permit to demonstrate, but if they are going to conduct themselves civilly then we may consider giving them the permit to demonstrate."

At newstime, 10 of the 44 had been processed and granted station bail and set free.

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