The Belize Gazette of April 22nd of this year proposes that parcels 34,29,25 and 30 on the map of New Winsor and Northern Lagoon, formerly the estate of the man known as Belize's first black millionaire, Isaiah Morter, be declared vacant. While on first glance this is just a matter of protocol where the Government of Belize is claiming unclaimed real estate to form part of crown lands, it's anything but that. In fact because of the history behind the man who once owned the land, Isaiah Morter, and his famous will that passed all his possessions on to Marcus Garvey's United Negro Improvement Association, these parcels of land are of great significance.
While the history of the UNIA is too long to be abbreviated what can be said is that the organization and its founder Marcus Garvey had lasting impact on black consciousness and is the root of equal rights struggles for blacks worldwide. Now that government is trying to convert Morter's estate into crown land, the UNIA has resurfaced after virtual non-existence here in Belize for decades.
Today attorneys for the UNIA, Arguelles and Company through a letter and on behalf of the UNIA's President-General, Hon. Redman Battle is taking possession of the properties. The letter says that because of the will left behind by Morter the UNIA owns the property. On the matter of taxes owned on the land the letter formally requests tax statements for all the parcels to quote 'perfect this matter." The land in question is comprises 947 acres. What government will do next remains to be seen.
