Vigil to be held for murder victims
Following an emergency meeting On Monday night the public will come together to give support to the families of murdered children thirteen year old Sherilee Nicholas, twelve year old Jackie Fern Malic, nine year old Jay Blades and nine year old Erica Wills. The series of killings, which occurred over the past ten months, has left a nation troubled and deeply concerned about the safety of Belize’s children. Although a nighttime curfew was imposed to address the problem, the four children disappeared during the daytime hours and on busy streets, making the cases all the more disturbing. Except for the arrest of Mike Williams for the murder of Jackie Malic, police have made no other arrests and seem no closer to solving the murders. The National Organization for the Prevention of Child Abuse has indicated that they feel it is time to get foreign experts to help the police in their investigation. The National Committee for Families and Children is organizing the vigil next week at the corner of Euphrates and Kut Avenues at 7:00p.m. on July twenty-sixth. The Watch will include a candle light procession followed by speeches.
Rev. Ashley Rocke, Coordinator, Vigil
“We are hoping that the public would have remembered some face, somewhere, sometime and come up with some answers. The pictures of the little children will be produced and the public will have an opportunity to look at these faces and remember, maybe it would trigger their memory. Where they had last seen the child. What kind of things are being planned for that night. Are the parents of the murdered children will be there? the intention of the night is to bring people together in a sort of solidarity for and on behalf of the families of these lost children. The parents have been asked or are being asked to be a part of the speech giving for that night. There will be other people who will be asked from the church as well. There will be presentations from the NGO’S and also from the minister.”
In related news, the NCFC will be holding a seminar at the San Ignacio Hotel for Legal, Health, Education and Social Service providers. The purpose of the seminar is to review the Families and Children Act. The focus of the review is to impact and enhance service delivery on implementing the legislation. The seminar will be facilitated by Attorney Lisa Shoman and Family Court Judge Margaret Nicholas.
