21 year old Murder victim Zamar Alvarez was called an "outsider" by Belmopan's political leaders - but tonight the President of the National Garifuna Council says that area rep Oscar Mira and mayor Pablo Kawich should consider giving Zamar's mom an apology.
We spoke to NGC President Alex Nolberto - who also happens to be a relative of the deceased - and he said that the public pronouncements by both Belmopan political leaders are concerning:
Alex Nolberto, National President - National Garifuna Council
"As a Garifuna leader, we are concerned with the way we have been dismissed. Or Zamar has been dismissed in that instance. And the interpretation may be that the statement may appear to be racial or profiling. Whatever the categorization may be. And I think it's something that the leaders need to look at critically to ensure that they are a bit more sensitive in how they say what they say. And also that they have the information accurate."
"There's multiple issues here. The fact that he is a voter of Belmopan and they don't seem to even know that."
"That was shocking. The fact that the family has lived in Belmopan. Alina grew up in Belmopan. That's her mother. So they have Belmopan roots. The family has been in Belmopan from time immemorial. And the fact that he is black and that specific detail is ignored or treated as information that really doesn't matter. And then it's compounded by the fact that he is Garifuna and makes it even more complex."
"So, It's a complex issue, and I think that it has to be managed well. It's not in the current circumstances being managed well. And it is something that, like I said, the government or the powers that be need to look at."
"Do these political leaders of Belmopan owe Ms Allina Alvarez an apology? Should they publicly apologize to her?"
"If It was me, I would. Because clearly in my view, they misspoke. The facts speak for themselves, so they need to do what they need to do to correct that."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this sort of insularization or silo-ing of identity or attempt to silo identity, is it in your opinion pernicious, especially for an ethnic minority, such as your people."
Alex Nolberto, National President - National Garifuna Council
"Yes, it's a huge concern, because we are at what, 4% of the population. But, Belize is one country, we only have one minister of police and so that minister of police is charged with protecting Belizeans across the country of Belize."
Jules Vasquez
"Is there overt or covert prejudice at play here?"
Alex Nolberto, National President - National Garifuna Council
"Ahm, I would not want to speak for the minister or the mayor. It may appear prejudicial, the statements that were made. And they are painful to the family, and so I would expect that I would recommend that they try to make amends and clarify what it was that they said."
Reports tell us that the Kriol Council may also be issuing a statement.
