Opposition leader joins the Good protest
The People’s United Party turned fifty-nine today. Numerous activities were held which for most part seemed like the P.U.P. had a sudden resurgence. On this side of the town, its leader, John Briceño, spent the day on activities celebrating the GOP’s fifty ninth anniversary. One of his stops was with Charles and Hirian Good where party notables stopped by to lend support to the Goods in protesting Hirian’s firing. For Briceño, his support was his way of underscoring the party’s purpose.
Charles Good, Plans to Sue Government
“This matter began as a result of my wife’s job being terminated in such a manner and it has escalated to the point of where it is presently. You heard the obscenities. I am surprised, I am taken aback with this situation.”
Hirian Good, Plans to Sue Government
“Dah di both ah dehn do it, P.U.P. and U.D.P.’ do it. But dis have to stop because dehn have lot ah single mothers weh get dismissed before me and I noh think ih right because dehn have to feed dehn kids and if dehn noh got wah job how deh wah feed dehn? Soh dat’s why we want ih go dah court soh dis could stop.”
John Briceño, Party Leader, P.U.P.
“Our party started with the labour union and to stand up for those that cannot stand up for themselves and those that need support. That is the history of the P.U.P. and so today we are here to symbolically stand up with Mr. Good and all the people that have been victimized by this government – there are thousands of them across this country and we want to let them know that they are not alone.”
Marion Ali
“You have a lot of notable P.U.P.’s out here with you today. How do you answer those critics who might say you’re only using the Goods for political mileage?
John Briceño
“That’s absolutely rubbish. Mr. Good has been out here for weeks and we have deliberately stayed away because we did not want to politicize Mr. Good’s cause. Mrs. Good was doing an exemplary job at her school. Just this year she got a letter of commendation for the great job that she’s been doing. This school was very happy with the work that she’s been doing. And now the Minister of Education is saying because he believes that the previous government gave them a job it’s political, he is wrong.”
Marion Ali
“At the end of the day, people vote for people. The system remains the same. What do you propose as the leader of the P.U.P. should you get voted in again, to change that system that allows politicians to do as they please and victimize people?”
John Briceño
“We’ve been doing a number of things. First of all, I think that within the constitution we made some amendments to our constitution where we are going back to the creed, where we are talking about the rights of every worker to work, the right of a goal of full employment, getting wages that keeps up with inflation, giving the right of every Belizean to join a union should they want to do so.”
Charles Good’s health has been failing him lately since he began to stage the protest. But he says he will stay the course. He adds that his debts have been mounting and the little pension that he receives is not sufficient to cover them. The Goods are also now having two meals per day and are off their hunger strike.
