After the case, the Maya Leaders in support of the decision held an impromptu press conference at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel.
We attended, and here's what they had to say a few hours ago:
Alfonso Cal - President, TAA
"I'm glad, you know why? Because the majority is with me. The majority is with us. The community is seeing now what we are achieving. We have come so
far but they're yet to go. But we pray god - that god will help us because we are people not fighting with gun or machete but with justice. Our rights,
we have our mouth, we need to speak. That's why I'm not ashamed today, for 3 decades; I start when I was young and up to this date, I'm really happy to
see my people, that they were with us together."
Martin Chen - Chairman, MLA
"Today, the world knows what we are doing here in the country of Belize. It's not only Belize, the world knows why we are here today. So, I must thank
you all for coming. I know some of us wake up. I was taking my bathe in the river, 1 o'clock this morning. I got on the road side 3 o'clock in the
morning. Maybe some of us get tired and depressed - but we need to be here today. So, I must thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, who are here today
with us. Like Mr. Cal said yes, we have some little group on the side that don't like us. They do not understand what we are struggling for. But like
Mr. Cal said, we are fighting the cause them and also - not only for us here, for every Maya."
Cristina Coc - Spokesperson, MLA
"For us, what is important is that the government finally admits that they were wrong. This land is in fact ours, we have never changed that position -
that has always been what we have asserted as Maya people. And yes, there was no need to be dragged from one court to the next, but we endured, we
started as a people, a one people - and we are here today as one people. And everybody said, how in the world can the Maya people challenge this
government to court? We had never been to the courtrooms, all we know is our Alcalde Cabildo. But today, this whole world, all of Belize, all of
southern Belize is looking up to you as you lead. And know that yes in fact authority can be challenged when they are wrong - and justice can be served
if you remain united as a people."
Antoinette Moore - Attorney for Mayan Claimants
"You had courage, and it's quite, humble, strong courage and I've have learned from that. I've learned from your patience. Even sitting here waiting
for us to come upstairs, patience over years and years and years of going to meetings, coming to court, travelling from Toledo to Belize City. I've
learned from your patience, I've grown from watching how you, as a people have operated."
This afternoon, the PUP sent out a release congratulating the the Mayans for the victory before the CCJ today. They reminded that it was a PUP
administration, which signed an agreement with the Mayans of Southern Belize. That agreement was called "Ten Points of Agreement" which stated, quote,
"The government recognizes that the Maya People have rights to lands and resources in Southern Belize, based on their long standing use and occupancy."
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