And while the BSCFA's leaders got the breakthrough at Yo Creek that the entire industry was waiting for - it didn't happen in a vacuum. While they negotiated, cane farmers had set up roadblocks at various pressure points to block cane trucks from going to the factory. And they would not move from there until they got their agreement signed. This was the culmination of many hours of road blockages and civil resistance to get their point across. Jomarie Lanza was on the scene:
As the hours went by and the sun began to set, the patience of the BSCFA members wore thin and so they took matters into their own hands and launched right into what the call industrial action to send a clear message of urgency to the mill and GOB.
The farmers have been waiting since Thursday when the compromise agreement was drafted. But after four days and still no signature forthcoming from the Mill, they decided that they could no longer wait, and if they could not begin to deliver cane, then the other associations should be stopped as well.
A group of farmers successfully stopped three Progressive Association cane trucks in Louisville heading for the mill. As we approached the tense crowd, who say that the decision to form this blockade was made solely by them, and not by the association, one of the farmers shouted out in anger, that they are suffering and so it is only right that the industry and its members suffer altogether.
Canero, BSCFA Member
"The truth is the cane farmers are suffering right now. We have our brothers over there coming with cane and here we are fighting for them as well. Because if we are going to win we are fighting for them as well. But it seems that our government that we put in, because I voted for them. And Johnny Briceno when he was in opposition he was with us in this war and he promised that he would solve this situation that Dean Barrow lost. And where is he? We want him and now he is giving us his back. How does it not break his heart that this Cane farmers are in crisis. I have kids and I am suffering because I cannot deliver my cane and he doesn't see that because he had gotten to where we put him. It doesn't move him anymore. During these times when we would be out here he would be out here talking with us. He told us he would help us and protect us. And he didn't do it. Up to now he hasn't. He said that when he wins in 100 days he would solve this and he didn't."
"Look at Monchi every Thursday he's at his radio in Orange walk every Thursday sitting and screaming that he will help the cane farmers. I am Blue and I am one of them. I am suffering and it's like they don't care. But it will come, their day will come because all the cane farmers you see out here are suffering."
It took a while for the police to respond to this first blockade, and as we continued to move towards Orange Walk, we learned that another group had set up a blockade at the entrance of the BSI roadway from the Orange Walk by-pass into BSI ASR. There we spoke with a second farmer who says that they refuse to let history repeat itself, and with that they could stay there all night until the agreement is signed.
Canero
"We are blocking the road that enters into BSI to deliver cane. But what happened is there are trucks coming and if we don't stop them. They will continue to deliver cane and BSI will continue to function. And what will happen? Nothing because they will continue to bring cane and process and here we are. This is why we are asking the people the cane farmers to come out and support us. To block these roads so BSI doesn't receive a single cane. So the government hears us that we want to deliver cane as well not only them. They are eating the cake and what about us? They are eating the cake and we are getting nothing, they are laughing as us. They are laughing at us and we are frustrated. We want to deliver too and time is going this has been going on too long."
"The people are angry."
Jo-
"Do you think this is an injustice to you all?"
Canero
"Well yes it is a grave injustice for us we haven't been able to deliver cane since the 28th of December not a single piece we have taken up to now."
Jo-
"And how does this affect you and your family."
Canero
"Look we are eating a bit of bread but we are here because if we win the battle they will win as well. My family is there, my babies, my wife and my kids are at home. Look at where I am I am here. I need to fight for my dinner as well, she doesn't even know I am out here but here I am I am at the door of BSI where they deliver their cane. Look I don't want this thing to pass over the way it did years ago when they killed that guy in San Victor look how that ended up that guy died and it was done I just don't want it happen again."
"That can't work, that can't work and we done tired of this already we will stay right here till the factory receives no truck we already said it already we done buy bread and soft drink and sausage. I could stay all night right here I'm kind of fat but I'll take it. I can take it."
He didn't have to take it much longer, because at 11:00 farmers got the all clear and were told to stand down by their association. With that they motored off in a triumphant motorcade, declaring victory and ready for La Zafra to start.
