Citizens march against violence in Belize City
As a journalist, I’ve often been accused of capitalizing on crime, too eager perhaps to focus on the sensationalism of violence and misfortune. But by any account, the intensity of criminal activity in Belize has descended to new depths. While the causes of the problem can be endlessly debated, a determined band of citizens in the old capital this weekend took a stand and spoke with one voice against the madness.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
On Sunday evening mothers, brothers and sisters braved overcast skies to participate in a candlelight vigil against crime. The event was filled with mixed emotions as grieving families called for peace and an end to the violence.
Bertha Heusner, Family Friend, Murdered Brannon Brothers
?I think we need to amend our laws. The system is failing and, and it will continue to fail if they do not amend those laws. The laws are not practical anymore. Because everybody just kill those children them like for nothing.?
On May fourteenth, the Brannon family lost brothers Philip and Kevin. Their mother Gilda is still unable to speak publicly about the tragedy but she does not want anyone to forget what happened.
Bertha Heusner
?The cause of their deaths still hurt me. So I always, anything that concern anything to alleviate this lot of pain that the mothers are going through I will be there for them.?
Amelia Scott, Family Friend, Murder victims
?Well I came. Jackie Malic is one that was murdered, and her son. We are all family and that is the reason why I am out here, to join with the rest of parents and family that the same thing has happened to their children.?
Yvonne Moore, Son Murdered
?It looks normal on the outside, but nobody can tell when your chest tightens and it feels hard. No one knows just how much your life has changed.?
Two years after his gun riddled body was discovered at the Salt Creek gun range on the Northern Highway, twenty-four year old Nadir Husman?s killer or killers remain at large.
Yvonne Moore
?There is an emptiness that can never be filled and a child who was productive and law abiding citizen to have been taken so senselessly. His lost has changed so many people?s lives not just the immediate family the extended family and friends.?
Grace Young, Supporter
?It comes from an evil, evil spirit and the only way things like that could stop is if we turn to God.?
Iyonnie Usher, Mother, Son Murdered
?I lose a son Lionel Gabb in February. So I decided that I will partake in whatsoever they have pertaining to this kind violence thing.?
The march and rally was planned by Mothers Organized for Peace with support from other community groups in the Port Loyola Division.
Anthony ?Boots? Martinez, Area Representative
?Well I think it is very important for the community. This is one of the largest community and very important because for the last couple of months the majority of killings happen in Port Loyola, so I think it is very, very important. And not only the candle light vigil, it is the way forward from this crime and violence.?
Oscar Rosado, Jr., P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Port Loyola
?I think the entire country has gotten enough and they are showing it today. It is the minority out there who is committing these senseless crimes and we are showing that we are at a majority and we are going to put and end to it.?
The concerned citizens walked from the Wilton Cumberbatch Field, onto Caesar Ridge Road, Central American Boulevard, Fabers Road then back to Yabra. Along the route, the procession made a total of seven stops at the locations where some of the victims were killed.
Liz Longsworth, Chairperson, Yabra Development Committee
?The whole idea is to march against crime and violence. Too much killing in the neighbourhood lot of young people are dying and we need to stop this.?
Bernard Adolphus, Supporter
?This is my neighbourhood, and I am came out here to support the ladies, as a matter of fact all of us is affected by what is happening. The killing has to stop; it has to stop and perhaps this is a small contribution. We would like to send a message to our community not only on this side but throughout the country, because it is important that we stop the killing.?
Yvonne Moore
?There are so many persons hurting. Hurting from reckless, senseless actions and we need to unite and hopefully show these criminals that they are causing a lot of pain.?
Dr. Fernado Cuellar, Surgeon, Belize Medical Associates
?And that?s precisely I guess a more direct reason why I am here, because I am on the receiving end. I see lots of violence. I see a lot of people being hurt either directly or indirectly and nobody wins. Nobody wins at the end of the day and I think Belize on a whole loses when crime and violence prevails.?
According to organisers, the walk was also designed to highlight the needs of at risk youth.
Erwin X, President, M.O.P.
?Well we hope that awareness would have been raised. We hope that our leaders are aware. I don?t see them out here and I think they should be ashamed of themselves. Because as small people, as poor people and the mothers, I need to congratulate all mothers who have stood up and are working diligently to make this a success, and all the people have supported us. ?
?We are in a time when as Belizeans we need to reflect on the lives that are lost and the lives that we can save. So for the turn out I am pleased and I thank God for the people who have found it inside themselves to come out, support and participate.?
Anthony ?Boots? Martinez
?By amending a law and making the penalty stiffer, I too agree with that. But again we too must put things in place to eliminate the kind of issues that brought forward these kinds of violence. Including counselling is one, and job training is another one.?
Yvonne Moore
?Change has to come from deep within us. It?s an individual commitment to live a law abiding life. The laws are there to keep people in place but there will still be crime. It has to come from each and every one of us to do what is right.?
Erwin X
?This is a process of healing, it is a process of peace, and it is a process of love.?
Mothers Organized for Peace says it will be organising a number of programmes designed to assist young persons avoid a life of crime. If you are interested in helping the organisation, please contact Erwin X at telephone number 604-6895.
