Last night we reported on a protest being held for Alex Noralez, a teacher at San Pedro High School - who was convicted and imprisoned for the sexual assault of two students.
But, as we told you last night, his daughter is leading a crusade to clear his name and get him out of jail. It started on social media and hit the ground last night in San Pedro. Jaleeza Roberts reports:
Teacher Alex Noralez, a name trending across Belizean social media, is now at the center of a national conversation about justice, due process, and student safety. The conviction has triggered a protest, his family's call for an appeal and a storm of social media commentary for and against the Magistrate court's decision.
News of the conviction triggered a public response in San Pedro last night, where residents gathered in a peaceful demonstration in support of Noralez. The event was organized by his daughter, Vivian Noralez, who insists her father was denied a fair process.
But at the middle of the case are three girls who testified in court that their former teacher groped them - and on the periphery - lots of noise suggesting judicial misconduct and a conspiracy against Noralez.
Jaleeza Roberts
"We know that in the police report there, they were mentioning the hugging, you know, the hugging in an indecent manner. You know, what the report said. And so what is your response to that?"
Vivian Noralez, Daughter of Alex Noralez
"My response to that. I want people also to follow along with the comments and see how many students have posted my father hugging them. And my dad is a big man. He's tall, you know, he's six foot plus and, you know, built very stocky. And, you know, when you have students, some of them are very small. And when my dad towers to hug them, they might take it, you know, whatever."
The public discussion around the case has gotten the attention of quite a few educators who are now more conscious of their interactions with the students
Vivian Noralez, Daughter of Alex Noralez
"I'm really happy that I've gotten the attention of a lot of teachers and educators around the country nationwide, that they are now looking at this case, following this case closely, because in our profession, where they are expected to to have some, some form of affection or love or care towards their children, I think no, a lot of teachers, they're they're not scared, they're more they're going to be more, they're going to be more careful on how they interact with their children."
While a handful have differing opinions of what happened, this has not dampened the spirits of Alex's daughter Vivian.
Vivian Noralez, Daughter of Alex Noralez
"There's been an uproar and mostly everything positive about my father, we don't pay attention to the negativity they have to say. And it doesn't affect us anyway because there's so many more positives than negatives. And I think that's what's important. No matter what you do, no matter in any type of situation, you always have those trying to, want to carry their own agenda and go on their own smear campaign. But I'm very happy to see people defending my Dad. I don't even have to do it alone. And it helps my family to know that we're not alone in this and that we will get justice out of it."
Despite the protest and growing public debate, the conviction and 18 month sentence remain in effect. Noralez remains in jail while his family has applied to appeal. Until that is heard, his daughter plans to keep the issue in the public eye.
We'll keep following the story.
