It sent waves of outrage across the country when two University students were murdered in just 48 hours. 19 year-old Masaki Yanai was killed at his family home in Belize City when he tried to defend his dad from armed robbers. The other victim is 20 year-old Dwayne Cummings-Avila. He was gunned down and killed in Orange Walk Town while he was walking home from a basketball game. Well, UB's History Club along with the National Student Union teamed up to plan a protest. Students stepped out of their classes today and took to the streets of Belmopan to rally against these senseless killings. Courtney Weatherburne was there and has this story.
Courtney Weatherburne, reporting
At the height of the mid-afternoon heat, University of Belize students gathered under this tent, all listening to a series of speakers who were gearing them up for their peace rally.
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Masaki Yanai and Dwayne Cummings are just 2 young men from among many recent victims of gun violence but they were promising university students not involved in the gang life and that is what triggered their fellow UB students to take a stand against crime."
They sang "Redemption Song" sand belted their chants through the streets of Belmopan
Crowd Chanting
"Peace yes, violence no. We want justice."
All the way to the assembly building where their message resonated.
Crowd Chanting
"Justice for Dwayne. Justice for Masaki. Answers from our leaders."
Abdias De Paz, UB Student
'I just think we need to take a stand to this injustice. We have someone like Dwayne who was dear to us, not only a friend, but my past student as well and just to see him lose his life because of foolishness and I think we are tired of this foolishness and we need for it to come to a stop.'
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"And Masaki as well too he did you have any background or maybe connection to him?"
Abdias De Paz, sUB Student
"No I do not but I heard he was good at architecture so he had a bright future in that field I heard and also as Belizeans we need these people in our country and so his life was also cut short. It is sad. Words are not enough to express how we feel."
Alyssa Sosa, Dwayne Cummings Girlfriend
"They are normal citizens who just want to live their lives and they have been cut from the chance of having a good life and just being there with the people they love because someone choose to put a bullet in them and because they had no reason to I guess and even if they did, I believe that if anyone saw anything or if they know anything that they should come forth and just help because the police job is not an easy job and they need all the help they can get."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Being out here how significant is it for you and for all of the students to be out here supporting your brother and celebrating his life."
Isis Avila Dwayne Cummings Sister
"I appreciate it that everyone is here and standing up for both of their lives and that we can speak for their justice and we won't stop until we have justice for both of them."
Abdias De Paz, University Student
"Something great and I am proud of all these students who are here with us today and just making a stand for what is right and I think that we are all fighting for the same claim and I think it's not just Dwayne that we are fighting for but all the victims that have gone down due to gun violence."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"So UB students have spoken, but is their collective voice enough to make a change? well that's certainly the hope."
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