COLA and citizens to demonstrate 9th
Moses Sulph
Still on the ninth, the government is sending out personal invitations for Friday’s sitting and the position of the opposition has been “no” but that is all before hell broke loose in the P.U.P. There is also opposition from the Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize National Teachers Union. Nonetheless, Citizens Organized for Liberty Through Action hopes to inspire citizens to a peaceful demonstration against a bill that COLA feels will give too much power to the current and any future elected government.
Moses Sulph, President, COLA
“I do understand the people of Belize probably would want the majority shareholder, however, we must make sure that the ninth amendment cannot be passed as is. And we cannot go by promises that it won’t be passed as is. I think we need to be out there on the 21st to make sure it doesn’t pass as is. I think this is where I believe the teachers union had made it clear they weren’t in support of the ninth amendment as is and there are other institutions as well: the unions, the public service union. And so I am hoping that these organizations will come out there. It is not about being aggressive or being violent, it’s just about showing that people are dissatisfied. There were over twenty-one thousand persons who signed a petition for a referendum. Now I think those twenty-one thousand people should show up. We’re asking COLA that Belizeans come out and support us in our stance to make sure that the ninth amendment is not passed because if the ninth amendment is passed as it is with the section that gives the government the power to be the supreme being of this land, then I am sorry for us. If we are being victimize now when they don’t have that power—and it is not only this government; any government will have that power if it is passed as is. So we are asking people to come out in Belmopan at the National Assembly on Friday. If you need some transport, call us or text us at 631-6286 and we will be more than happy to try and provide that transportation. We hope that in an issue like this, all NGOs would come together. And I hope that different persons who represent different areas in this country and believe it is the best interest of their people who live in their constituency; for them also to come out and make sure that the ninth amendment is not passed. If you’re saying that you care about the people of the country and your area and you want your people to support you, then I think this is where you need to stand up for what is right. I myself will be there and sometimes, the other news stations like to show as if there are not a lot of people out there. They are lot of people suffering in this country but they are afraid of being victimized. I am saying, if you allow yourself to be afraid of a government then that is tyranny not democracy. Then you need to come out because you will be victimized more if the ninth amendment is passed as is. Imagine if the government has the power to take over whatever entity it wants to take over. They can take over the media tomorrow if the ninth amendment is passed as is. They can take over the cable, they can say that’s a utility; they can take over the bus service, they can take over your panades shop if they want because they can deem whatever entity that they deem to be a utility. So I think clearly there is enough voices out there who are what I call leaders, who believe that it is not right for the country and I believe they should show they are totally not in support of the ninth amendment.”
But as we said, while the government seeks to go back in the House, there is a court ruling which can put a wrench in those plans.
