Teachers Block Major Highways
Benque Viejo del Carmen was not the only hotspot for protest activity this morning. All over Belize, bridges and main intersections along the highways became impassable as early as seven a.m. when vehicles belonging to teachers coincidentally began experiencing mechanical issues. They were left in the middle of the roads for up to an hour, backing up traffic and causing great inconvenience to commuters trying to reach work. News Five’s Duane Moody was out this morning and has this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
The teachers were once again staunch in sending a message to G.O.B. today when this morning they came out in scores to block bridges and roads across the country. Up north in Corozal, at the Libertad cut-off on the Philip Goldson Highway, they were holding placards and singing that they will not be moved.
There were also in Dangriga. In the Belize District, vehicular traffic was backed up for miles as various locations along the highways were also blocked, including the Haulover Bridge, the Chetumal Street Bridge in the city, mile forty-one at the George Price Highway leading into Belmopan and then the John Smith Link Road which connects to the Western Paradise Village.
Duane Moody
“Unu vehicle bruk down?”
Teacher
“Yes sir. Completely.”
Duane Moody
“Unu done call the mechanic fi make ih come out come try and check it?”
Teacher
“Believe you me, in due time a mechanic will be called. Don’t worry.”
Duane Moody
“Is this part of an act by the teachers to block all these roads because we see that it di happen elsewhere too. Are you concerned about the inconvenience that it is causing to people that need to get to work?”
Belize City Resident
“It wah inconvenience everybody weh get ten percent cut. That’s the major inconvenience weh di whole country di feel.”
Teacher
“Every single person is being affected no matter what. We must stand out ground because we are completely not happy with this present government.”
For commuters trying to get to work or to drop off their children to the day care or school, the industrial action is a great inconvenience.
Belize Port Authority Employee
“There is a thin line between being passive and sometimes we have to be proactive ina settings. But the thing is that people have to get to work. I need fi get dah work.”
Duane Moody
“Miss have you been affected by the blockade?”
Commuter
Commuter
“Yes sir.”
Duane Moody
“Tell us what happened. I see you are walking with big bags.”
Commuter
“I have to go reach Belmopan right now.”
Belize City Resident
“My daughter noh feel good bredda and I noh play with my pikney. Play with dehn teacher yah. Dehn get a free year of school, free year pay. Play with dehn too much.”
After the disruption of traffic for about thirty minutes to an hour, the teachers’ vehicles started working and they drove off. Duane Moody for News Five.
