For our headline - we show you what happened when the UDP stormed into the BTL compound. It was a "Peaceful Protest" gone wrong…or right, if you're one of those who oppose the acquisition.
About 300 protestors were out there today and they were not only party supporters. The crowd included almost all the unions as well as working professionals. Reporter Jaleeza Roberts was there from. The very start and gives us a play by play:
It started at roughly around 8am this morning onSt Thomas Street, UDP party supporters started coming into what was being dubbed as a "Peaceful Protest". It started inauspiciously with only a trickle of supporters. But the atmosphere changed when the UDP party leader Tracy Panton arrived and gave the gathering a sense of purpose
Tracy Taegar Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"I believe the board will meet. Whether or not the provisional agreement will be signed is another thing. I know for sure that SBE is not on board. The BCCi is not on board the NTSB is not on board or independent senators are not on board. And for sure the UDP is not on board with this acquisition. What would a provisional agreement trigger based on your understanding? Well, we don't know. As I said, everything is been, covered in a shroud of secrecy. Which doesn't make no sense. This is a public institution. It is owned by the Belizean people. And it cannot cannot be used for private gain."
The UDP Chairlady said they came for what she called "good trouble":
Sheena Pitts, UDP Chairlady
"I'm sure you heard of the term good trouble."
Reporter
"And would you care to comment on the police presence out here?"
Sheena Pitts, UDP Chairlady
"Well, that's questionable for me, is it? BTLl has secured the services of the police to be on their campus? Or is it that when we've got a lawful permit to be out here, they are. They should be out there in the public space protecting the public."
Pitts explained that even though the BTL board met with the UDP they are still unsatisfied.
Sheena Pitts, UDP Chairlady
"You are here with the same understanding that we all have. There is no space in the current landscape for monopolies at all. No space. So what will they do? Go and change the law just to suit Briceno family pocket? Is that what we're doing?"
What was initially set out to be a UDP protest quickly became a citizens protest as the unions joined in. Not as disruptive or loud but firm in purpose:
Ella Waight, NTUCB President
"For us we decide, we're just observing and we're keeping status of what's happening in there as well. Believe me, we know what's happening."
One union leader was also there for the BTL Protests of 2015 and Leonora Flowers wasted no time in making it known that she is willing to do it again
Leonora Flowers, President CWU
"There's too much at stake here for this. We've had this before in the past with the same administration. I was in front with them and I'll say it again that was not an easy thing. Have we paid off those debts I am still not aware."
The calls for the removal of the Chairman were loud as party loyalist Alfonso Noble dressed in his Bacon outfit to mock the Chairman's political nickname.
Shortly after 9:00 am word started reaching us that at 10am the supporters would be storming into the BTL compound and making their way to the board room. The hero or joker of the of the day was Brian Yellowman Audinet who told us the intention:
Brian Yellowman Audinett, UDP Supporter
"How can this government tell the people of Belize that they are going to make BTL acquire smart. What? Why is it that they are even selling Smart? Is Smart even the make any money. If Smart was even profitable they wouldn't even sell Smart. I can tell you one thing. Guaranteed. Guaranteed. Guaranteed. 10 o clock. We will enter the compound."
Well the compound was breached as they lifted the gate at exactly 10am as promised, they were met by police force. Police had created a human barricade at the front side of the building. When the crowd rushed, so did they, and those on the front lines were met with tear gas and pepper spray. For about 15 minutes the back and forth between protesters and police officers ensued until the leader of the opposition called order in what she deemed was now her court. The message sent and received.
Tracy Taegar Panton, Leader of the opposition
"We are not here to quit. I'm not to cause mayhem. We're here to send a message. And I want to say that the message was heard. We understand that the PUC is meeting right now, and we understand that this board had to abandon its provisional agreement today. And so we understand that no vote will happen today. And so I think the victory belongs in the hands of the people."
And the UDP suggests this is just the beginning of a season of agitation and activism. But, BTL's Chairman has given no indication that they will be deterred. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
We'll keep monitoring what's next - but despite the growing public uproar - there is no indication that BTL's Chairman intends to pull back from the proposed acquisition at this time.
