Protest permits not issued; cops say they’re ready
And speaking of dangerous things, the police high command were today looking back at Friday’s events in Belmopan and trying to learn lessons for what may happen this week. News Five’s Janelle Chanona has the story.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Tonight official estimates are that during the violent confrontations between protestors and the police in Belmopan on Friday, ten vehicles were vandalised, a number of windows, doors and other property–both private and public–were destroyed or damaged, and two law enforcement officers were physically injured.
There are no reports of how many demonstrators were wounded, but police say nineteen people were detained over the weekend. Of that number, four men, including a minor, were arrested and have since been charged for throwing missiles and damage to property.
G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
“We are still reviewing tapes and looking at evidence and we believe that there will be more arrests forthcoming.”
During a press conference at the Raccoon Street Police Station this morning, authorities responded to reports that no demonstrations will be allowed at this week’s House meeting.
Janelle Chanona
“Is it true that no permits will be granted for protests of any sort on Friday?”
G. Michael Reid
“At this point I am not able to comment on that. That situation is under review and the Commissioner will make a decision.”
Janelle Chanona
“Do you personally have any message to the public?”
Crispin Jeffries
“You have given the opportunity to say something that I believe can be twisted given the fact that anything I say seems to be something that the media wants to play with. So let me give you something to play with, the police will perform at its best and will be ready to deal with any situation comes Friday whether an approval is given or no approval is given. Those are my comments.”
Henry Usher, P.U.P. Secretary General
“We believe that they were people out there in peaceful demonstration on both sides, but they were certain people that were placed in there by whatever organisation to cause problems and it’s very worrying as a nation to see that type of violence erupting again on Independence Hill.”
According to Henry Usher, Secretary General of the People’s United Party, whatever the decision of the police, he and his supporters will have their say.
Henry Usher
“I’m asking our supporters to demonstrate peacefully, and the way you do that is by showing up for work. If you are a teacher, show up to your classroom, if you are a businessman, open up for business, we need to continue developing this country and we need to send a message to those talking about shutting down the city, that we need to continue to grow and develop as a country and a people. That’s all I’m asking our supporters to do this Friday.”
Dean Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.
“Come hell or high water, there will be some kind of protest action mounted by the United Democratic Party on Friday.”
At a meeting at its headquarters this evening, the Leader of the United Democratic Party, Dean Barrow galvanised his followers. The U.D.P. say their plans were to protest in Belmopan and if that request was denied, to demonstrate in the other municipalities. But rumours have since led the Opposition to believe that all the permits would be refused, so this afternoon Barrow took the matter to court.
Dean Barrow
“My application is based on what will be my argument, that that Control of Public Meetings and Processions Act is unconstitutional. The way that it is framed is far too wide ranging and that it violates the constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.”
And while both parties wait for the decision, the core controversy of Universal Health Services remains on the political forefront.
Henry Usher
“If you ask me, thirty-three-million dollars yes or no, of course I would put no, anybody would put no. But if you ask them the right questions, do you want to save a hospital, I’m sure people will say yes. And I think that’s what we will do this week, try to explain people, listen, this is not about thirty-three-million dollars, it’s about saving a hospital.”
Dean Barrow
“Even if we pay this money now and Government takes over Universal, it can’t be run viably. That is the lesson of what has happened. If the private sector couldn’t run it viably, the Government for sure can’t run it viably.”
“I tried to make the point, I do not think that Government can ask people properly to pay this money and continue to pay to try and run a facility that it is clear to me, is simply not viable.”
Godwin Hulse, Business Sector Senator [May 18th]
“I continue to maintain that in fact, if as he [Prime Minister Said Musa] says, that the idea is to preserve and to help the company in difficulty, then the company is being helped when you give it twenty-five years to pay its loan at ten percent interest. It should be able to meet the two point nine million per annum payment. Let the company pay the bank, let the bank continue to hold the assets, let the business be up and running, let the people have good healthcare, but don’t put it on the people. Why we need to take it over when all the time it was private sector that is running it? Why does private sector need to take it over now? Private sector’s problem is that they couldn’t meet their payments, now that they are meeting their payments, fine. And that’s my word.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
The U.D.P.’s application for an injunction against any decision by Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby to deny permits for public protests on Friday has been set for two-thirty on Wednesday afternoon before Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh. On that same afternoon at five, the U.D.P. will meet with the social partners, calling on all groups to participate in a nationwide shutdown planned for Friday. That meeting will take place at the N.D.F.B. building on Coney Drive in Belize City.
