Primary School kids of Belize District Protest against Crime

Students in the Old Capital took the lead today against gun violence. They were grieving the recent murders of Eyannie Nunez and Marquis Mahler, two children whose lives were cut short before they could see the age of nine years. The students are also hurting over others who have been victims of the street violence that has reached epidemic proportions. It was an impressive sight and the message was as powerful. News Five’s Delahnie Bain reports.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

Thousands of primary and high school students flooded the main thoroughfares of Belize City this morning; united against the urban warfare that has taken over the streets. The Belize District Association of Primary Principals brought the youths together for a massive peace rally and parade.

ruth castillo

Ruth Castillo, Assistant Secretary, BDAPP

“After the death of the little girl, Eyannie Nunez, a student of All Saints School, the association felt it necessary to bring the schools together to stand up, to make a stand and make a statement in regards to the crime situation in Belize City.  We have a peace rally going on where different schools are presenting, sending anti-violence messages through songs, poetry, dance and after that we have a parade which will end up at the Yabra Green.”

The students are sending a message to stop the bloodshed and restore peace in the country.

Kevin Garcia, Student, Queen Square Primary School

kevin garcia

“I think I want this to stop because there’s a lot of innocent people in this country and we have to…”

Delahnie Bain

“And are you afraid to walk on the street and so on now?”

Kevin Garcia

“Yeah a little bit cause there are a lot of shootings around.”

eric chang

Eric Chang, Student, Belize Elementary School

“I think it’s getting worse and worse so we need to take a stand and try to stop the violence.”

Felisha Quan, Student, Belize Elementary School

felisha quan

“I think it’s really terrible that everybody has to be at home and they’re just scared to know what happens next. Everybody’s watching the news and it’s up to one hundred murders now. So it’s really sad.”

yannika dorado

Yannika Dorado, Student, Grace Primary School

“I think it’s not correct to do because we have a girl names Janay that goes to our school and she’s suffering now.”

Delahnie Bain

“So why are out here protesting?”

Yannika Dorado

“Well, we are out here to do a peace rally to show the gunmen to stop the violence.”

Sharin Espejo, Student, Grace Primary School

sharin espejo

“Please stop the crime because some of us are dying out there.”

Delahnie Bain

“And does it make you afraid to walk on the street and so on?”

Sharin Espejo

“Yes ma’am.”

hacinto luna

Hacinto Luna, Student, Excelsior

“Young people and thing we need fi try buckle up and think more pan fi we society and thing yoh know.”

Delahnie Bain

“Okay, so what’s the message that you’d like to send to all the gang members and so on?”

Hacinto Luna

“Mek dehn think wisely and just put down di gun and mek dehn unite cause we noh have no unity right now out yah.”

The principals association has a message of its own, and according to the assistant secretary, they are hoping that the number of students who turned out today will get that message across.

Ruth Castillo

“The message we want to send is that as educators, we need to instill values in our students such as respect for human life, for God’s creation and hopefully when they grow up, they will be healers of our society and not hurt the society, not cripple the society as we are facing today. I am overwhelmed, I am very grateful for the support that we have been given as an association to stand up with these families who are suffering from this gun violence that is riddling and crippling our society.”

Delahnie Bain for News Five.

At least twenty-five schools from the entire district participated in today’s peace rally.