This year Saturday the tenth September will mark the 207th anniversary of the battle of St. George's Caye. But, it looks like there's going to be another battle on that day this year - it's a battle for the soul of the 10th September and the St. George's Caye day society is leading the charge. We found out about the rules of engagement today when the society staged a press conference at the Battlefield Park.
Jules Vasquez Reporting, [jules.Vasquez@gmail.com]
The tenth of September parade, as this footage from last year's event shows, it no longer pulls the crowds or attracts the interest that it did 20 or 25 years ago. But it continues, and this morning members of the St. George's Caye Day Society say it must. They cling to the date and the event it commemorates because they say that battle is the head cornerstone of Belizean history.
Emerson Guild,
"Let us say we are all Belizeans of different backgrounds, different ethnic groups and what not, but we ought to celebrate the tenth of September. That is the day that gave us the right to be here."
And now they claim the celebration of that right is being crassly violated by the carnival which, this year, will play on the tenth.
Emerson Guild,
"We're totally being disrespected by some committee called the Carnival Committee."
Sharon Pitts-Robateau,
"It's a parade of unity. The events are there and yet this carnival, a Trinidadian import, is being allowed to creep back on the calendar and distract us and mar our celebrations. As we appeal and entreat the government and the September Celebrations Committee, and the Carnival Committee, but more especially the people of Belize to ensure that carnival will not be celebrated on the tenth day of September, that we celebrate as a people divided, that our people are not distracted, and we take this responsibility very seriously."
And indeed, opponents of the plan point out that the tenth and the carnival are hardly a match.
Edward Flowers,
"Let nobody fool you, the two events cannot complement each other at all at all. They are talking about having the carnival in the afternoon and the citizen's parade could be held in the morning; it just wouldn't add up."
And if the tenth isn't big enough for these two events: one meaningful, one marketable, what will these loyal and patriotic defenders do?
Emerson Guild,
"I'm going to ask that they definitely show us the respect. The national pride that we should be displaying at this time, let's hope that it is displayed. If it is not displayed then Belizeans we must do the battle of St. George's Caye all over again."
But even without a battle, these loyalists say they will celebrate.
Edward Flowers,
"Regardless of what happens, we will continue to celebrate the tenth day of September as the anniversary of the Battle of St. George's Caye."
Sharon Pitts-Robateau,
"We prefer to have a small unified tenth September parade with frying pans and pot spoons, home made musical instruments, and patriotic Belizeans celebrating something that is Belizean, we maintain that."
And while the loyalists have their hard line so do the revelers, and on the tenth, Belizeans will have to make their choice: pith and patriotism, or raunchy and revelry on the road.
