Tonight, the UDP is likely basking in the afterglow of another day on the political battlefield where the party flexed and showed its mass party muscularity. Now, even if the crowd was not on the mass party level - the effect was - judging by the amount of trouble they gave police.
It's what the opposition calls "round two." Round one of their protests against the proposed Speednet acquisition happened last week in front of BTL's office on St Thomas Street. There, the UDP was able to bring out about one hundred and fifty supporters, and there was a sprinkling of union members.
Today, however, twice the number of protesters were out, including the BNTU, ready to rev up their green machine. And this time, they took it to Social Security, since the board was meeting today to decide their position on the proposed acquisition. Even if the board did end up meeting in Belmopan, and not Belize City, that detail seemed to hardly matter to the UDP - which just "wanted to be starting something."
And even with "Yellowman" missing in action - the UDP attempted to storm SSB. Then, they took it a step further on the Belcan Bridge. Courtney Menzies was on the ground this morning and has this story.
There was a cross section of political types and social partners joining today's protest in front of Social Security's Belize City office.
Showing more numbers than they did at BTL last week, the UDP was muscular as it led the protest, chanting "no means no" behind their Party leader:
Tracy Panton, UDP Party Leader
"No deal. We are asking you to listen to the voices of the people. If You are managing our funds, our contributions that we are mandated to pay by law and so we say no deal. Enough is enough. Why is it that we are going to sit back and allow John Briceno and his family and his administration to keep their hand in the cookie jar? It is unacceptable."
Also there was Union Senator, Glenfield Dennison, who in yesterday's press conference also offered many reasons as to why a monopoly marketplace doesn't serve democracy:
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
"From the freedom of expression stand point, I deh out ya. I no di get into the merits and demerits of profitability and none a that. Alright, I say it yesterday any monopoly wa profitable Bredda, imma any industry from tacos. You da the only man di sell tacos you wa sell all the tacos."
And for the first time, the BNTU Council of Management joined the protests. They marched in singing we shall not be moved, and the president said they want answers:
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"It's very important for us to now, represent our 4000 plus, we want answers."
Jaleeza Roberts -
"So this is one of the biggest unions. Do you guys believe that you will be able to bring out your numbers within the coming weeks to have a greater showing?"
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"Ofcourse, the first step is to educate them, provide them with the pros and cons of what they're presenting, demanding from BTL the answers to what we all need because when I listen to them saying that the funds that they are in charge of, does not, require public consultation, I'm surprised because social security we contribute. Government? We are the government, we only elect representatives."
SSB owns 34% of BTL so the acquisition directly affects their shareholding and by extension Belizean workers.
Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"Remember the social security board holds, entrusts our contributions that workers pay into the scheme so we have to know where and what they're thinking, what direction they're going. So let us know, at the end of the meeting or later on in the week, let us know before they go to BTL to make any decision."
Reporter
"How far are you prepared to go?"
Dean Flowers
"They will go as far as the Belizean people allow them to go that is as far as they will go and that is as far as they can go and if the Belizean people resists this through continuous agitation, through continuous demonstrations as we are doing trust me they will have to rescind from their position and that is exactly what we hope that ultimately will happen."
"I think the Unions have not really gotten fully involved, fully engaged and that is the kind of conversation will now have to be elevated at the national trade union congress of Belize in terms of how do we now engage the general membership of the unions."
And now as the resistance to the acquisition seems to gaining momentum, the opposition is hoping that a fuse has been lit:
Tracy Panton, UDP Party Leader
"I believe if the government continues to push the way they are pushing, they can expect that this voice will get louder. Not only here in Belize City, but nationwide."
For now, Friday is the next expected date of the next protest.
Reporter
"Will the UDP be protesting the House Sitting on Friday?"
Sheena Pitts, UDP Chairlady
"Listen to me, my friend. Did you not hear the Leader of the Opposition tell you that there will be as many phases as necessary. We wa di deh. Unu wa di deh?"
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
About 50 to 60 police officers were on the scene and about 300 protestors.
We note that while Yellowman received an acknowledgement form for Being The Member Of A Gang, he was not charged.
In a text statement to 7News the Commissioner of Police says, quote, "The detention of Mr. Audinette was a lawful action initiated to facilitate a police investigation into credible allegations. These allegations concerned statements attributed to Mr. Audinette which suggested a specific intent to cause damage to the Social Security Board building during an upcoming UDP demonstration.
It is further noted that the information prompting this investigation originated from within Mr. Audinette's own organization. Multiple UDP members voluntarily contacted the Police Department to express concerns that his alleged statements created a risk of violence, undermining their planned lawful and peaceful protest." End quote.
Rosado closes by saying, quote, "We support the right to protest, so long as it's done in the confines of the law."
