Students and Wil Maheia Speak Out

Marcia Cervantes

Lending moral support to their teachers were two sixth form students who made spirited presentations to the gathering.  A call for other trade unions to join in the teachers’ protest has also been made, with a special invitation being extended to the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Marcia Cervantes, Student

“Don’t you, my brothers and sisters, feel somewhat disrespected?  Therefore, I must applaud the true heroes of our country; the B.N.T.U.   The union that is currently saving the youth and their future, my future, the union that fights national issues and demand good governance, a three percent salary adjustment and laborers protection.  People, this is a revolution and I am a revolutionist.  No, the B.N.T.U. does not promote violence but they call for a change.  I stand against corruption and no, the B.N.T.U. is not political.  In 2005, the unions stood up against the P.U.P. and now in 2016, they are standing up against the U.D.P.   The only difference again is the blatant corruption being present today.  We are talking about ministers being called out for murders and ministers involved in passport scandals.  But I’m also out here today to call out the other unions to ask them to stand in solidarity with the B.N.T.U.”

Wil Maheia

Wil Maheia, Founder, Belize Territorial Volunteers

“This Wednesday, we all need to come out.  I want to call on the B.C.C.I., the Chamber, to set their dates.  What else do you need to say before you set your date?  This four hundred thousand [dollar] hustle, we haven’t heard a word from the government.  Are they going to force this guy to return the money?  This is an opportunity for us to demand that this government get it right.  They either get it right or step down.  So this Wednesday, I’m calling on all Belizeans, from border to border, to come on out and let’s support the B.N.T.U. and stand together as one.  This is not about politics, this is about Belize.  One Belize people.  Thank you.”