Usually when you hear about land matters in the south, it's the Maya villages versus the non-Maya ones. But today, residents of all ethnicities in Punta Gorda gathered at the park to protest against the Maya Leaders Alliance. They say they don't like the "rules" that the MLA is trying to implement, and their fear is that Toledo's land will end up in the hands of the alliance. Here's how they put it at the protest.
Jasmine Aldana, Resident, Yemeri Grove
"I'm here with other communities, the Maya communities, we are here standing together because we know that whatever is going on with the MLA, it's not correct, we're not benefitting from it so I'm here again standing strong with everyone, with all the communities that do not want them. To be honest, it's hurting us so standing together is what we call unity and that is what we need, we need to be united."
Protestor
"Honorable Balderamos in her last interview in regards to the denouncing of the Maya Land policy the Customery Land Policy, she made two important things, the first one she said although they have the right to a consultation, one thing we want to get across to our people is that we cannot give Toledo the entire Toledo to this association. Very important, we cannot give the entire Toledo, so therefore our land is at risk. The second thing she mentioned is the government has a right to have private properties. Now, in our community, who have title for their land? That's the question my fellow Belizeans. I want to leave you with one question, do we want the government of Belize to continue to govern and look after our affairs? Or do we have MLA look after our affairs?"
That content was courtesy of PGTV.
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