P.U.P. and its supporters protest on Independence Hill

Usually all eyes and ears are tuned to the fireworks, insults, taunts and verbal sparring inside the House of Representatives. But today, attention was split as the opposition announced late in the week that they would be protesting on the steps of the National Assembly. While the most burning issue on the public plate has to be the passport and immigration scandal, the Opposition says it’s about much more than that. They say that recalling Elvin Penner and Edmond Castro is okay, but they want to recall the entire U.D.P. government. Mike Rudon was outside the House today and has the story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

The Opposition set a goal of one thousand supporters outside the House, hurling political fire and brimstone against the government. We’re willing to go out on a limb and say that weren’t far off the mark when the crowd was at its peak. Numbers aside, these PUP supporters were riled up and ready to storm the House, at least figuratively. Early on, just as the proceedings inside were getting started, PUP Deputy Leader Julius Espat told the media that this wasn’t about renting a crowd, but about mounting a serious protest.

Julius Espat, PUP Deputy Leader

Julius Espat

“There is a difference a diesel engine and a gasoline engine; we are warming up the diesel engine. It is a matter of slow but when it cranks up and gain momentum nothing can stop it. The difference is that we are not paying any single person out here; they are coming out here as volunteers. We are only providing transportation so for us it is a test to know who is serious. We hear people saying that P.U.P. is not doing anything. So we need to know who is here, who brought or people to know who is serious or not.”

The protest was organized by the Western Caucus of the PUP, so most of the supporters were from that area, including Cayo Northeast where the recall of Elvin Penner is underway.

Landy Habet

Landy Habet, PUP Cayo Northeast Political Officer

“We came out here because think that in general the people are really dissatisfied as to what is happening in our government, it is really low governance, our people are annoyed as a matter of fact. The issue with Penner, with Castor, the Prime minister is doing nothing about it. He comes out and he says one thing but apparently underground he is doing something else.”

After the House proceedings got underway, the crowd swelled as supporters from Belmopan arrived on the scene. And they were serious about sending a message.

Ruth Logan, PUP Candidate, Belmopan

“We are tired of the U.D.P. government; we are tired of the corruption, we need to recall Penner we have so many issues. Look at my signs we have a lot of issues affecting us, it is time that U.D.P. goes home, Belmopan is neglected, look at the streets, we need to change things around. The government needs to understand that the people are punishing, the people need jobs, it’s time, it’s time.”

Jason Patrick Andrews

Jason Patrick Andrews – PUP Candidate, Belmopan

“Right now we have a government that has gone rogue, people are wanting accountability, people are wanting justice, -people are wanting answers and we can’t just continue to push the issues under the rugs. So there is pressure that is being brought to bear today and this is just the beginning because this is movement that is taking place out here and there is an awakening of conscience that is taking place within this country where the leaders must give account to the people of this country.”

The crowd was hyped, and got even more so when the PUP members in the House walked out in the middle of official proceedings to greet them.

Francis Fonsec

Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader

“I want to know, I want you all to know today that this is just the beginning. The P.U.P. our great party has always led the fight for Belize it is the P.U.P. that has always taken the lead in making Belize a better place. So my friends we have a lot of work to do together. But we will stand shoulder to shoulder, we will stand head to head, we will stand heart to heart, we will stand together united in bringing down this U.D.P. government that has been so bad for Belize.”

Oscar Mira, PUP Candidate, Belmopan

Oscar Mira

“We need to show the Barrow administration that we are tired of corruption, that we are tired of all the injustices that are happening in this country, that we are tired of all the passports that are being sold and nothing is being done, that we are tired of all the small little man getting the lick of all these things and the big ones they always go scot free, we will not tolerate this anymore.”

For almost three hours the crowd chanted and sang and danced and rained fire and fury on the UDP. The issues are many, and the many signs tell the tale of frustration and anger which was evident today.

Ruth Logan

Julius Espat

“The U.D.P. uses your money to be able to bring out people that is a major difference. So they can laugh as long as they want to but when we get in there I want to hear what they have to explain to the Belizean people as to what they have been doing. Because today is a day really to just listen to see what excuses they will come up with. Because our country is in crisis and if they think it is a joke then that is a serious problem. So this is a start for the Belizean people to listen to t hem and to see if they are credible or not. We are not here to shake the Prime Minister; we are here to start the diesel engine of the PUP, to show people we are serious. We are one and a half year after a general election and as Jules aid we have tow representative s in there that can’t show their faces in public. Let’s see let’s listen to them guys we don’t have to ask the question we are here to answer anything you want but you need to ask the ministers the pertinent questions, and the hard questions because the Belizean people want to know.”

The crowd dispersed at around twelve thirty, having sent their message loud and clear. Now whether that message is accepted is another matter completely. Mike Rudon for News Five.