Earlier on we showed you the NTUCB protest on Independence Hill. We left the story at 3:00 pm where police were advising the unionists that their bond had expired, and anyone who remained would be in an illegal gathering. Most of the unionists - genuinely exhausted by a blistering day of sun hot headed home but the hard corps stayed back, basically to challenge police who they argue are protecting a government that freely breaks the law.
But because of the small crowd remaining, the police looked none too eager to forcibly dismiss them with tear gas and force as had been done in the past. So they basically warned the unionists, and then left them. That standoff, with the unions trying to engage the police, lasted for about an hour until the Leader of the Opposition came down to have a lively exchange with them. It was like a mini debate in itself, moderated by unionist Mark Butler. Here are some clips.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
"Whether rightly or wrongly, we had the impression that the unions did not want to make what is happening here today seem the least bit political and so they would have preferred that the UDP keep its distance. It is not in fact that the issues are not issues that we fully support. It is not in fact that we were not prepared to be out here physically today but we felt that the Opposition needed to respect it.
I spoke to Dylan and Dylan said that to some extent we misunderstood. There was an emphasis that I think the unions were trying to place in terms of saying this is union business, whatever is happening has to be union led but he wasn't saying you're not invited. I personally believe that when these things in fact are national issues as the firing of Christine and Nelson is and as all the other, all the other issues over which you are here, that there ought to be a collaboration between the Opposition and the union. I don't think that that will in anyway lead to any sacrifice of the unions' autonomy."
Dylan Reneau,
"The point that Mr. Aikman was trying to make is that just like how the unions are taking strides or making initiatives to try and address the matter, why not the UDP as a party take initiatives and why doesn't the government of Belize take initiatives to try and resolve the matter."
Hon. Dean Barrow,
"Well I can't speak for the government of Belize but in terms of the UDP, Dylan, it is a national issue but it is first and foremost a union issue. We have as our first duty to the people of this country as a mass party to win elections.
...There was some miscommunication because even with our concentration on the village council elections, Dylan if we had had the impression that we would have been welcomed, we would have been here. We could run village council elections and still find a thousand people to put in this square here in front of the National Assembly.
There was a feeling that we were not particularly welcomed. I understand what you are saying, that the union is non-political but that can't be any excuse not to build bridges and not to collaborate with rate with the legitimate constitutional opposition.
There is a need for collaboration, we need to go to a seven or ten thousand people in the streets. I pledge to you the UDP will be there."
