They took their anti-crime campaign to the streets last year and now the Mothers Organized for Peace (MOP) are taking it to church. The MOP has organized a memorial service for Sunday afternoon at St. John's Cathedral. It will be a prayer service in honor of the ones they've lost; the organizers told us more.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Therese Felix and Karen Adolphus have both lost sons to violence. Karen's son Kareem Swazo was murdered on May 26th of 2003. That's four years ago but it might well as be yesterday for Karen.
Karen Adolphus, M.O.P. Member
"For us right now why we want the people out is for them to know that we need to stop this. We need to stop letting our mothers be crying all the time for our children that are fallen, so that is one of the main reasons. We want people to come out to see the mothers who are suffering because we are suffering in silence, especially me. I do voice my opinions, a lot of times I have voiced my opinioned, there are a lot of times when I have talked about it but it is hurting inside- I cannot let it go."
Therese's son Tyrone Felix was killed last year on Mother's Day. She doesn't want any other mother to go through what she did.
Therese Felix, M.O.P. Member
"Last year ninety one fell and I met Miss Karen and I told her about this memorial and I called Erwin and from there we moved on with this. Ninety one were too many last year and it has already started again this year so let us have the last Sunday in every January to remember these brothers and sisters that have fallen."
Therese and Karen are both members of Mother's Organized for Peace. They will hold a memorial service for their lost sons and daughters on Sunday afternoon. Erwin x is one of the organizers.
Erwin X,
"The purpose of this event is to say to our young brothers in the streets that enough is enough - the violence must stop, put down the guns, let us live in peace and stop rest in peace. Our mission here is not a mission, this is not a mission of division, it is a mission of love and of inspiration because only the living can help the living dead. Let us join hands as Belizeans to fight this disease of murder and violence in the streets which is affecting our society at all levels."
At all levels which is why Karen Adolphus had a special request.
Karen Adolphus,
"I am asking the Prime Minister on a one on one, I want to ask him to please come out and listen to our cries, bring your government, we want the government out. We were the people that elected you all there and we want you to come with us and listen to us. We are not begging you for anything, just listen to the cry of the mothers who are hurting, who are grieving inside from our sons that are fallen."
Sunday's service begins at 2 pm at the St. John's Cathedral and ends at 3:30 pm. Thereafter there will be a procession to the Lord Ridge Cemetery where wreaths will be laid on graves of the lost ones.
