Unions Approach Prime Minister’s Home

This morning, the perimeter around the prime minister’s Dunn Street residence in Orange Walk Town was roped off with caution tape.  There was also heavy police presence in the neighborhood in anticipation of protestors entering the area.  While today’s demonstration was without incident, teachers and public officers who participated in the protest removed the cordon and proceeded in the direction of the PM’s home.  Chanting their slogans, they stood in front of the residence for a few minutes before moving off peacefully.  Afterwards, we got a comment from both union leaders, as well as the Commissioner of Police. 

Gerald Henry

Gerald Henry, President, P.S.U.

“I honestly can’t put myself in their mind as to why it was blocked off.  It could be that, you know, the prime minister, just like how he doesn’t want to engage us personally, he doesn’t want us around his castle.  We are not violent people, we have been doing this for how long now, and there has been absolutely nothing broken, except maybe their pride.  But that’s no real harm done there.”

Elena Smith

Isani Cayetano

“Were you guys at all discouraged this morning when you found out that the PM’s perimeter, in terms of his residence was locked off from you guys?”

Senator Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U.

“None at all, not at all.”

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The actions of the teachers continue to be one that is, to some extent, against the law.  They’re picketing, they’re demonstrating without any permit.  They are going about in large crowds above what the quarantine regulation stipulates and we continue to exercise restraint because we really and truly want to avoid any sort of confrontation with them because a confrontation is not going to do the other side any good.”

Reporter

“But if they remove a barrier they are looking for trouble sir.”

Chester Williams

“Yes, but again you see, the police continue to see how we can exercise restraint and may I say that the prime minister has been very much patient as well because even when we discussed, he has said to me, “Commissioner, if they want to pass my house, I don’t have an issue with it.”  Right, but we have seen what has happened in the past.  One time they went by the former prime minister’s house, Said Musa, and they stoned his home.  We have seen where there have been actions done, maybe not by the union members themselves but their followers, where they step out of line and do things that’s totally uncalled for or criminal.”