Teachers and Belmopan residents protest against violence
The community is still reeling from the senseless murder of the popular teacher and sportsman, Aubrey Lopez. Today in Belmopan, a demonstration against violence attracted family, friends, and many others. Their messages were both emotional and powerful in the face of a climate of fear and violence that is consuming the community. News Five’s Jose Sanchez was in the capital and files this report.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Below the steps of the Assembly building in the Capital, a group of men, women and children walked in protest of the onslaught of violence that has been an urban blight over the country. The demonstration was organized by Nigel Petillo. He was moved to action because of the murder of his friend Aubrey Lopez.
Nigel Petillo, Protest Organizer
Nigel Petillo
“We are here sending one united message today. Behind me you can see the mayor is here, his wife, people from opposition and present government. We have the teachers, a whole body of teachers. We are here today as one people; we are not here in lieu of politics, nothing to do with politics. What I am saying is that the crime situation is so out of hand now that we are questioning the authorities that are responsible, can you handle it? Honorable Perdomo, can you handle it? Mr. Crispin Jeffries, what’s going on? If I were to grade you people on a report card right now, you are failing. You are failing the Belizean people. It is not just about Aubrey Lopez’ life, but it has reached to the state now where an innocent brother like Aubrey, who is a Sports icon in this country, not just a teacher, not just a brother or a husband or a father; but someone who has been helping to develop this community for quite some time now. We have decided to come out here to the steps of the National Assembly building and to the send the message to the building and to the people who occupy the building, whenever you are making the decisions; whether it be positive or negative it impacts us.”
During the testimonials at the top of the Assembly steps, Lopez’s mother and father made an appearance. An emotional testimonial was given from the mayor’s wife who was very grief stricken.
isolita lopez
Isolita Lopez, Mother of Aubrey Lopez
“It started from way back from the last government and they never catch the bud, they never do anything and now it explode and the fruit is coming out now. People turn to God. The solution is Jesus; I know my Jesus and I know if we turn to Jesus, something, definitely something. I know I lose my baby and he can’t come back and it is a pain only me di feel right now. I can’t explain it; I can’t but God will give me the strength. God will give the strength and I want to say mister Barrow get up from your seat. Get up! John Saldivar, you are no representative of Belmopan, get up from unu seats. Weh unu fi do, unu no di do. Do the right thing, do the right thing. That’s my plea to you this morning.”
Mayor Simeon Lopez, Father of Aubrey Lopez
simeon lopez
“I appreciate any size, any amount of support I can get. It’s strengthens my spirit and my resolve to work with the present administration so that we can see how we can stop this crime wave because it’s not getting better. It really hurts. I have an older son in the states who is his only brother and he who won’t be able to come. He is devastated right now, he can’t even speak with us. That is what is hurting us right now.”
Instead of going with their chapter of the Belize National Teachers Union, educators from surrounding area, preferred to give homage to their fallen brother and to send a message to the government.
Jackie Burns, Protestor
“I deh out yah cause I dah wah teacher and I dah wah Belmopanese and Aubrey Lopez dah wah good man. Di man dah mi wah role model, di man mi di do wah lot in terms of sports. In fact, I understand dat at di time ah his passing, ih mi di from helping some youths wid basketball. Dat really show what wah role model inna Belize should be like and I really cannot understand how violence wah tek weh somebody weh so precious to we inna Belize. Dat dah weh we need; more proactive people and dehn just ker he fi no reason.”
jackie burns
Jose Sanchez
“You know the old saying if a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound? There are no political leaders here at the Assembly building, is this still going to make a sound?”
Jackie Burns
“I know it will, where Belizeans meet and gather together fi get something done, something wah get done. I noh believe that dis dah wah one day activity. I know dat di Belmopan youths dehn wah stand behind, putting a pause if not a stop to dis violence.”
Anette Pech, Protestor
“People coming together is strength and like the brothers are explaining out there just now, when it’s one person fighting a battle you’re not going to win. As teacher’s were out here supporting the mother and Mister Lopez because, like I said, that gentleman taught my daughter for three years. He was a role model. What is the essence of what a mentor should be and for us to lose him in this senseless act is unbearable. I can’t even begin to imagine what his mother is going through.”
Kendis Ferguson, Protestor
kendis ferguson
“Stand up in solidarity with this movement fi protest against di continuing growing ah di crime situation. Two; fi show support and respect to a very close and dear friend of mine weh I grow up wid from childhood. And three; fi be wid di Belizean people inna calling out pan wi leaders; all leaders inna all institutions fi recognize dat we have wah crisis situation in regards to crime inna dis country and two dat we need fi come together. Like Mister Petillo and others have been calling out since morning, we need fi all come together fi sit down and construct meaningful ways practical ways of solving this issue.”
Beverly Hope Requeña, Protestor
“This is Jaheim, Jalil, and Sharima.”
Jose Sanchez
“Sharima why are you out here today?”
Sharima
“Because Mister Aubrey dead.”
Jose Sanchez
“Miss Bev, you brought out your kids. Why was it necessary to have your entire family out here?”
Beverly Hope Requeña
“We are members of site seven. We grow up in site seven; we grow up with Aubrey. They are not only neighbors, they are not only friends, they are like family. You know Mister Lopez, a teacher, Aubrey is friends with my brothers. They play basketball and he’s like a brother so it really hurt me. When I heard about his death, all I could remember when my brother got shot. When I was coming they said mommy please mek we go. My son is sad because they know Aubrey nephew my daughter went to school with. He didn’t even come today because they are all feeling sad.”
Anette Pech
“We were supposed to be at the resort relaxing right now for our teacher’s day. And this is what it has come down to.”
Jose Sanchez
“So teacher’s day in essence is about honoring Aubrey.”
Annette Pech
annette pech
“Yes exactly. And what better way for us to show it and to celebrate the day?”
Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
Tonight at six p.m. friends, family and well wishers attended a candle light vigil in Aubrey’s memory.
The belizean government really need to do something about the crimes in Belize.I went to BCS mr lopez was my math teacher i knew both of his sons they are great people.I am a belizean living in California i use to be very proud to tell any and everyone that i am a Belizean, but now i don’t want people to know that i am from Belize because not only us belizeans read the news foreingers do too and that is a bad impression on us Belizean,they need to stop the sensless killings of our own.
I stand with the teachers and the whole country of Belize ,who are feeling the pinch about our present crime situation,while our leaders just stay like if nothing is happening,but the reality is its getting worst i don’t even feel safe in my home village now i have to watch my back every move i make,its a sad situation we are in at this moment in what level more do all this have to reach mr prime minister\dean barrow for u to do someting? i really don’t know what more to say but its sad,we need to come up together as one ,as a nation, what is going on is like “terorism” people are dying like dogs in the streets of belize city,.
Belize City alone is making the country looks like one of those middle East Country. The crime rate is really getting out of hand and it seems like the politicians are focusing on other issues and forgetting the ones most affecting the community. I stand in solidarity with the brothers and sisters of Belmopan. RIP AUBREY. Your name lives forever.
SYMPTOMS OF A SICK SOCIETY:
1)KIDS GETTING SHOT IN THEIR HOMES BIG 7 O’CLOCK A.M.
2)TEENAGER BEING DECAPITATED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM THE CENTRAL POLICE STATION.
3)RESPECTABLE, LAW ABIDING, TAXPAYER, ROLE MODEL, AND WELL LOVED EDUCATOR, GUNNED DOWN, EXECUTION STYLE ONE DAY BEFORE TEACHER’S DAY.
4)MOTHER SHOT AND KILLED WHILE CARRYING HER INFANT ON HER BACK, ON MOTHER’S DAY.
5)HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS QUIET EVEN WHEN THE MOST HEINOUS CRIMES ARE COMMITTED, BUT COMES OUT FIGHTING WHEN DEATH PENALTY IS BEING.
CONTEMPLATED!
6)WORKER FINED $1000 FOR FRYING CHICKEN.
7)ROGUE COPS STILL WEARING BADGES AND PAID BY TAXPAYERS.
8)COP EXECUTE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED DETAINEE WHILE IN HOLDING CELL, COP SHOT COLLEAGUE 9 TIMES AND CLAIM SELF DEFENSE, SHOT CONSTRUCTION WORKER AND CLAIMED IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, ETC, ETC, ETC
I say a military occupation of the streets by Belizean soldiers should do the trick of deterring crime because if it is a war the criminals want it’s a war we should give them. We have to send a message throughout out country that crime will not be tolerated to this level.
IT JUST LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS SINCE WE CALL FOR PROTECTION FROM THE ABOVE LEADERS BUT NONE SEEM TO ANSWER OUR CRIES FOR HELP. IT’S REALLY SHAMEFULL FOR OUR LOVELY JEWEL.
Gilda’s friend Carol from California.
This is so sad that a superstar was killed so ruthless. My prayer is for God to wrap his arms around
Mr. & Mrs Lopez and the entire Lopez family. He was an angel. Look up in the sky and see your son,
he will be the brightest star shining down on you all. Also he became your very special angel.
Also let us pray for Belize that God will surround our beautiful jewel with peace, love and prosperity
in Jesus name. Like Mrs Lopez mentioned Jesus is the only answer. Much Love
My condoleances for the family of Mr. Aubrey López. The investigation should continue about the matter. Conferences about security atmosphere are needed like in others cities and countries where violence takes place. I believe that also the social sector is important, enterprises, universities, as well as opinionsand cooperation from the diplomatic and consular corps.
Mr Lopez was my Math teacher at BCS and he is the father inlaw of my brother, so everyone grew up as family, even though I live in Georgia it shock me because I remember Aubrey when we were growning up and other misguide wanna be American gangster took that childhood memory away. He excel in sportmanship to represent his Country in everyway he can, and someone took his life way without guilt. To control violence you must show examples.
From my family to the Lopez Family we love you all.
Aubrey We Love You.
We abroad read about the crime rate in Belize and it makes us sick to the stomach, yes the leaders of the country should do something but where are the parents and especially the mothers of these young men? I have 3 young sons, mothers it starts from when they are young. If everyone in each community stood against these crimes then there would be no place for it. It can be done with all involved.
In less than a month, 2 children of fairly prominent Belizeans have been murdered. They are now part of a growing group who have lost children to murder. Hopefully after the Lino & Lopez families get beyond the shock & grief, Mr. Lino can work with his bosses & colleagues to try to change our judicial system so that the courts can do its job. Mr. Lopez can use whatever clout he has as a politician within his party to light a fire under these people.
I’m not sure where some folks think Prince St is, saying it is on the south side misses the fact that it cuts through the heart of the city’s commercial center. Geography changes nothing, no one is safe from the violence.