On Sunday at the PUP national convention, Belize Rural Central incumbent Ralph Fonseca spoke about what he called the great conversation that's he's been having with the people of that division. Well today the great conversation turned into a shouting match as dozens of area constituents lined up angrily outside Fonseca's divisional office. It's the typical Wednesday political clinic scene, except this morning, those who'd lined up to get served claim they were turned away. From what we saw, the clinic was operating, but those who'd been in line for hours - say that specific people were being called in, leaving them on the outside. That left a good number on the outside with threats and hard talk. Here's a sample of that.
Man #1,
"They are supposed to see everybody because everybody here supports Ladyville and when they want their campaign movements to go to Corozal and Orange Walk and those places, it is our faces they are seeing. They have a lot of people in there who don't even ride their bus with them, who don't even go anywhere with them, don't burn any energy with them - that is who they have in there with them and we who do all the support for them are left out."
Jules Vasquez,
You all were in Corozal on Sunday?
Man #1,
"We were out in Corozal Sunday and they don't want to see us today. They are chancing us. They are treating us like dogs right now. They don't want to see us. Only people who they want to see they see. They only use us for their convenience."
Jules Vasquez,
You all reached here from early?
Woman #1,
"From six o'clock."
Jules Vasquez,
So you all have been waiting out here four hours now.
Man #1,
"We can't get in and people came after us and get in and those weren't supporting them at their rallies all over the place. All these people you see out here are the ones who ride the buses and are all over the place taking the insults, getting shot with rubber bullets in Belmopan for them and now we can't even get to see this man and the man is coming in today."
Jules Vasquez,
What are you bargained for? $100, what?
Man #1,
"$100? We need better healthcare, more peace in the country, we need our land, and we need better education for our children. That is what we need. We are fighting for our pickney and our land. That is what we are fighting for right now and so far we are not getting that out of those people. They are just using us and taking us for cunnu money."
The crowd of a few dozen left after 1:00, with the majority of those who had been complaining still not having been seen.
