Now while this National Culture Policy aims to promote unity and integration - there are still some fundamental issues both latent and manifest - that have caused the social divide to widen and cause cultural tensions. One incident that comes to mind is the assault and arrest of Rupert Myles by a group of Santa Cruz residents in June last year. The Maya residents say they did it to protect and defend the sacred Uxbenka site while Myles says it was pure racism. Well, Director of Archeology Dr. John Morris told us that in the spirit of that cultural unity, they want to resolve this matter peacefully and that no criminal action will be taken against Myles for constructing a driveway leading to his home on the Maya site. Morris says Myles has moved from the site.
Dr. John Morris, Director of Archeology - NICH
"We've had several discussions with the Director of Public Prosecutions and we have been advised to not take this as a criminal matter. In fact to look at it more as a form of negotiations and we have spoken to Mr. Myles. Mr. Myles doesn't live at the site anymore. Mr. Myles lives in Bella Vista and so the next step is to dismantle the house that's on top of the hill."
In related news, charges have been dropped against two of the Santa Cruz Thirteen villagers.
Email
Print