Seems like everyone is waiting and watching to see whether tomorrow's demonstration in the city will "blow over like wah lee breeze" or if it will rise up to hurricane strength. And while that movement is attracting all the attention, there was another less confrontational but equally important one today. Primary school students held an anti-crime rally. Their message was to the grown ups in society was, give peace a chance, please! Alfonso Noble reports.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
With anti-crime chants like these hundreds of studentsstreamed through the city streets this morning. By
our count there were 26 schools participating. They carried the Belizean flag and posters all with a single poignant message. President of the Teacher's Union Anthony Fuentes says the march was organized to increase awareness on crime and violence.
Anthony Fuentes, BNTU President
"It will bring out to the general public that we as a union serious about stopping crime and violence in our country. We ask for the support of the general public including parents so they could be a part of it because the teachers alone will not be able to do it. It takes all of us collectively in order for us to stomp out crime and violence in our country. It is a way of bringing awareness to the general public that the teachers in this country are serious and we really want the crime and violence to stop."
But while many may perceive the anti-crime march as organized by adults with limited input from children who may have been there only to supply numbers, that's a misconception. You need only ask Ernest Gladden, Kevon Slusher, Anthony Leslie and others all students and all very willing participants.
Ernest Gladden: They got us marching out here Sir to stop the crime and violence sir. So we are just marching with our banner and telling them to stop the crime and violence. We will roam through the whole town sir and we will tell them to stop the crime and violence and they will participate and that is how we will make them stop.
AN: Do you think this will make a difference?
Ernest Gladden: Yes sir it will make a whole lot difference sir.
Kevon Slusher: People are hurt off of violence and crime.
AN: So do you want that to stop?
Kevon Slusher: Yes Sir.
Anthony Leslie: I am sick and tired of people hitting on their wives and I am out here to make a stand and I want my voice to be heard.
AN: You think it is going to make a difference, do you think people will listen?
Anthony Leslie: Definitely and if it doesn't work, I think we will definitely have to try again.
AN: But I think it is the teachers that dragged you out here.
Anthony Leslie: No sir, some of us are tired of the violence and we want to be out here."
And one child who wished that message of domestic violence had come earlier is Patrick Ogaldez. His mother was killed, stabbed to death by her husband.
Patrick Ogaldez: My mom has already died and I miss her and thing.
AN: How did she die?
Patrick Ogaldez: My father stabbed her.
AN: So you think that people should listen to what they are saying here?
Patrick Ogaldez: Yes sir.
AN: Why?
Patrick Ogaldez: Because then they can stop crime and so.
And be it domestic violence or any other form of violence these students were demonstrating against it. Justin Conorquie is the brother to Rodney Conorquie who was shot as an innocent by stander. He carried a placard with his brother's picture.
AN: Do you know Rodney Conorquie?
Justin Conorquie: Yes sir.
AN: How did he die?
Justin Conorquie: By a bullet puncturing the lung.
AN: Why are you carrying a placard of him?
Justin Conorquie: To stop the violence.
AN: Has violence affected you directly?
Justin Conorquie: Yes sir.
AN: How so?
Justin Conorquie: By killing Rodney.
So whether these students are directly or indirectly affected by crime and violence the message of "no more" was resolutely and emphatically delivered.
The children who participated were from the upper divisions of their respective schools. But what do younger children think? They cheered from the sidewalks - and later on we'll tell you what they had to say about how crime affects their lives.
