Laddie Memorial Day, One Year After His Untimely Death

To mark the one-year anniversary of his untimely passing, Laddie Gillett’s family and the Laddie Gillett Foundation will be hosting a Laddie Memorial Day on Thursday, July fourteenth. It was on the same day, one year ago, that Laddie Gillett lost his life at the hands of police officer P.C. Kareem Martinez. P.C. Martinez was dismissed from the Belize Police Department in November 2021, as he faces a single criminal charge of manslaughter. On Thursday, Laddie’s family will be unveiling the Laddie’s Memorial Park which has been built at the location where he was fatally shot. The unveiling ceremony will be followed by a “Finish Laddie’s Run”, and a “Shine A Light For Laddie” initiative. We spoke with Christy Valdez from the Laddie Gillett Foundation about these upcoming activities.

Christy Valdez

Christy Valdez, Public Relations, Laddie Gillett Foundation

“Laddie’s Memorial is planned for this Thursday July fourteenth. It will be held at Placencia, right behind the newly painted Placencia sign. It will begin at two p.m., commencing with an inauguration ceremony where we have prayers. We have participations, poems being read by his friends. We also have family members participating, and of course members of the Laddie Foundation. Commencing at two p.m. going on with some activities for kids, we also will be having finish Laddie’s run which will commence where he was slain, where he fell, to Chabil Mar, and that will conclude the events during the day. After the run, participants will be given a t-shirt and a goodie- bag for participating. Starting at eight p.m. the same night we have a Shine Your Light for Laddie initiative where Belizeans across Belize and international supporters can light candle and accompany us in spirit. Obviously not everybody will be able to attend. We are not providing any transportation from San Ignacio or any other district. However, the Shine Your Light for Laddie does allow supporters to join us in spirit.”