Businesses close down in Belize City to show solidarity for victim
While thousands lined the streets in solidarity with the family of eight year old Eyannie, the business center in downtown Belize City as well as those on Central American Boulevard, came to a standstill this afternoon when the body of the eight year old was transported for internment. The message from the Indian community was strong and clear. They were joined by a number of other business houses, from the mom and pop shops to the industrial giants, as the old capital reels in sorrow and shame from the senseless violence in the bloody streets. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Despite late appeal by the Belizeans for Justice Movement on Wednesday, many businesses in Belize City joined in the shutdown.
Marion Ali
“It was not business as usual today on Albert Street as the entire Indian community closed their doors as a show of respect for the killing of eight year old Eyannie Nunez. Today, this downtown thoroughfare, with its stores normally bustling with activity, was an abandoned business zone in a city under siege.”
There were stores like the Mirage, Doony’s, Swami’s Boutique, all of the stores on King Street, the Supermarkets such as Public’s, K-Park, even a few Chinese stores, like Williams Supermarket, that joined in solidarity.
Aside from the Indian community, there were several Belizean entities, such as Juanita’s Store, JL’s Quick Loan, J.E.C. Pawnshop, Royal Wholesale and HL’s Burger that kept their shutters down today. Two business owners told News Five off-camera that the closure did have a significant impact on their bank accounts, but it is not worse than the violence that has hit home.
The butane gas companies were also in on the effort. There was Belize Western Energy Limited, Philip Neal Butane Gas, South Side Butane Depot, Gas Tomza Limited, Southern Choice, Brown’s Butane, and many others that were closed for business.
And while today it was the businesses that showed solidarity with the family, friends and teachers of little Eyannie, the schools are planning to conduct their own protest against crime and violence plaguing Belize. Marion Ali for News Five.
Some of the businesses that did not close say that the appeal was a tad too late.
There is absolutely nothing we cannot do if we make the decision to follow through. The ones who chose not to follow through have made their position clear by their actions. Belizeans need to use their strength as consumers to make a point, stop buying crap they do not need & that some are getting killed for.
Maybe as horrible as Eyannie’s death was, I am hoping that as a country we have decided that we have had enough & the parents & grandparents who are encouraging the BS will get their act together or face being ostracized or worse.
This is nice that the owners came together on this one, because crime is everybody’s business.
Keep the shops close for the rest of the week though.
Perhaps on hungry belly some will learn how to appreciate a good thing, in order to value human lives.
Big applause to all those businesses that closed their doors. This is solidarity, this is support, n this is the caring Belize I know n love.
Lets take back our country!
There you have it folks. The true color of the Chinese community. Awile back they had a one day shut down. I hollered and complained about their true motives; and bloggers here …….. accused me of bigotry.
So what was the Chinese reason for not supporting the shutdown today? “We were notified a tad too late.” Get real people. Chiney da fu Chiney. Nobody else matters. So once again, I will use the term “TRUE BELIZEANS” do not include Chineys.
The Asian community in Belize invest their monies abroad, their kids attend univerisities abroad, and vacation time means overseas trips. But their monies are made providing “true Belizeans” with basic necessities of life. Something is wrong with this formula.
Nice symbolic gesture… but just that…. Wont do a bit about crime!!!!
Sorry to be a wet towel on this….. No demonstration, nor shutdown, nor religious service, nor change in GOB will end the carnage in our city…. We as a nation have to do it……
if the police has shown that they can’t protect us from crime then we as citizens must do it ourselves…. let us ALL BECOME SNITCHS… Let us all law abiding citizens burn down the drug houses in our neighborhoods… let us all licensed (or unlicensed) gun holders hunt down those monsters that kill our children and show total disrespect to GOD and human dignity….
May sound contradictory…. but even Jesus used violence when it was necessary…. to all bible readers….. see how many true holy wars occured in biblical times….its time for ours!!!
These killers WILL NOT STOP because of a shutdown…. they will ONLY WHEN THEY FEEL REAL CONSEQUENCES TO THEIR BRUTAL BEHAVIOUR…… they didnt feel it when they were children and are not feeling it now….
they will just laugh at our shutdown and continue killing that same day or the day after!!!!
Is this the 3rd of 4th shutdown?? Saw any difference???
to magician,
not all chiny’s are the same here in cayo & santa elena they closed also, simply because they simpatized with the crime victims, in the city they never did because when they had their one, alot of comments were saying it was an insult to the community, now you want them to simpatized after you commented bad against them, come on think about what you say.
I agree with rastamanforever, even though the business community must be applauded for their solidarity, at the end of the day, it’s the Belizean community at large that has to take a stand and let the criminals know that they are fed up and will no longer be hostages in their homes, their neighborhoods and their country. Too much blood and tears has been shed. The idea of no snitching is pure bs, if you see something say something. There was a time in Belize when people used to look out for each other. We need more people who care enough about their quality of life and the future of Belize, to stand up tp these punks/cowards let them know that they are not wanted in their neighborhoods, throw them out one by one, show them what real BELIZEANS stand for – PEACE LOVE and UNITY. Parents, family and friends let these criminal elements know that you are tired and will no longer protect them – SNITCH – you might just save your own life.
WE NEED grass-roots COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, starting with block associations.
Smart elected officials would grab this ground swell and ride the wave, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER for a just cause.
Omg magician an so Indians are true belizeans listen every body is an immigrant to belize black Chinese Indians Mennonite etc so plz an if u didn’t know k park was open an what happen to so called tru belizeans they where open too . An we belizeans do hurry jump on planes to go to the states an then we also go to study in the states too once anyone have money they send their kids to get better education so that’s everyone who do it not only Asians to me u sound like a racist . Plz
Magician shut up… the killing of a child is bigger that you and your “true belizean” BS!! You must be the mistress of some politician.
Have decency and respect the yesterday’s message: ENOUGH!!!
People like you make us all sick!!
SHUT UP!
You know that these criminals can kill anyone they please and get away with it, because without witnesses stepping up or forensic evidence its just another day for them and us. I might sound cruel but we know who these killers are and should let the table turn on them, lets bury them instead. Get rid of the pests or keep on living in fear and heart break when one of our own loses their life to these viscious and senseless killings. Hell, not even rats and cock roaches die as much as good Belizeans. God help them murderers if they harm or kill one of mine, they’ll be no court case. Trust me, I’m fed up!
well remember the prime minister son who has been deported back to Belize has gang affilation!!!!hmmmm, something’s wrong with this picture. I am not saying that he is involved but that can probably be a reason why the Government is not doing anything!!!!!!!!! JUST SAYING
josie you are so right ive been saying this for months and also that is why this pm doesnt want to bring back the hanging penalty because his son might end up being one of those to hang .
That was a lame excuse used by the Belizean business like San Cas, and Brodies and even the Belizean Chinese Businesses, that they were informed a bit too late about the shut down. How much notice do they need when most funerals in Belize take place 3 to 4 days after a death occurs, even if it was an expected one. They just don’t feel the need to support the move as they are hardly affected by any of the issues we face in this country.
A popular neighborhood grocer which is mostly patronized by poor people, at the corner of CA BLVD and Vernon Street, kept its doors open and continued to serve its customers while the funeral procession passed right in front of its opened door. I hope they know that they lost this customer to Public’s who supported the move 100% by closing down and sending some of their workers to the funeral.
ah so that is why the government isn’t doing anything to stop these traitors and murderers. Their own family tree full of corruption so they affraid to show their hands because it’s full of blood already. The citizens need to form neighborhood watch programs and report these traitorous dogs who kill our children senselessly. What you don’t report today might come and kill you tomorrow so please SNITCH because stray bullet noh have no name on it!