A Mural of Peace and Hope is Unveiled in Majestic Alley

Today, the media was invited to Majestic Alley, near its junction with Queen Street, for the unveiling of the “Peacewall” Mural. While the wall painting depicts two hands joined together, the ceremony was used to celebrate the efforts made through support from the U.S. Government to reintegrate reformed gang members from communities across the city into the society. During the event, the mural was completed and it culminates the Empowering Communities to Empower Themselves Initiative. Several stakeholders spoke on the significance.

Michelle Kwan

Michelle Kwan, U.S. Ambassador to Belize

“This is such a wonderful labour of love, I call it. It is beyond this mural. This mural at Majestic Alley is a symbol of hope for a brighter future, but hearing the stories of the ECTET participants and former gang members that are now thriving in society, giving back to the young people that really need guidance and leadership. But to hear about the vocational skills training, to hear the jobs that they are in right now from auto repair to cosmetic retail for women and men too – it’s thriving. And as Minister Usher had mentioned, Majestic Alley has a historic background and now it is a safe place for people to come and visit and see this mural too.”

Henry Charles Usher

Henry Charles Usher, Area Representative, Fort George

“To realise the potential that they have is to realise the potential of our people, it’s to make sure that that potential translates into productivity, translates into community development, translates into national.  And that is what we are achieving today. You might think it is just a mural on a wall, but it is so much more than that. It is a symbol of hope, it’s a symbol of development; it is a positive image for our people to look at every single day.”

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We have seen that over the past few months, crime and violence has been down in Belize City and it has a lot to do with the fact that we have applied a new method, using the multisectoral or all of government approach to fighting crime. So we are having more and more collaboration from different entities and agencies in ensuring that what needs to be done to reduce crime is done. And so this mural that is being unveiled is just another symbol of that partnership that we have established with the private sector and other organizations where the sign itself is significant. It is a peace sign; it’s a sign of hope.”