And while the Faber flare up put a blemish on the budget debate, the truth is that, overall, the debate went well with the government side seeming a tad more humble than before, and the Opposition side maybe a little less combative. Indeed, for a few cool minutes, it seemed that we could all just-get-along. Which makes us say, what a difference a year makes! Last year it felt like bombs over Belmopan, when the debate had to be shut down due to a near riot outside on Independence Hill. Tonight we'll re-visit debate day, January 21st 2005, a day that began with a tremble and ended with a shudder.
Keith Swift Reporting,
When the 2005/2006 budget was debated, independence hill was ground zero for what would become an angry and violent face-off between UDP supporters and the security forces. A long way from 2005 when the day began with a heavy presence of police and a PUP pep rally. And after rallying his troops Musa led his representatives to the national Assembly building and before any debate began - there was the first outburst of the day.
That would be scene one of the budget debate day that won't be remembered as much for what happened inside the Chamber as much as it will for the uprising that played out on the National Assembly stairs. In fact, the budget debate took a backseat to ruckus outside, whether it was unruly protestors actively wrestling with police as they chanted, or taunting and baiting the restrained riot squad, and who could forget the music that became the soundtrack of budget day 2005.
And while those events colored the day, it was the violent outbreaks that made January 21st unforgettable. Whether it was protestors hurling missiles at the riot squad or unionists asking to be arrested. But while the sea of unionists and opposition supporters snowballed on the outside, inside the Camber the budget was debated, all-be-it with heavy distractions that forced the meeting to be suspended briefly: But while the representatives soldiered on, by evening the energy of the crowd had dwindled. Most of the protestors were gone and mainly unionists remained. That didn't matter to the police.
Shortly after, those who remained were tear gassed, physically dragged off Independence Hill, and chased out of Belmopan. Minutes later that also brought the debate of the 2005/2006 budget to a premature end, the first time in Belize's history the debate had to be cut short because of the threat of simmering unrest outside.
For a time it seemed Independence Hill would never be the same with its broken stairs, destroyed barriers, and memories. But this year without the pep rally, without the protestors, and without all those police the debate went on, even as the memory and lessons of this day live on. What a difference a year makes.
