Yesterday, the UDP was not the only organization that applied to protest in front of the Social Security Board. Both the NTUCB and the BCWJ were denied their applications. The reason cited was that other than the 48 hour notice, they claimed to have limited officers to police.
Representative from the BCWJ, Emily Turner said that she always assumed it was in her right to protest whenever:
Jaleeza Roberts:
"Is there a reason that you were rejected for the two days?"
Emily Turner, BCWJ Representative
"They're saying that they were not supposed to initially give it to us that way, that it was supposed to done that you have to apply for it every day and it has to be 48 hours and then for today we asked for today as well and they said well they already had this protest so they didn't have enough manpower to do, to be looking over both of the protests them."
Jaleeza Roberts:
"And how do you feel knowing that your right to protest is in the hands of the Belize Police Department?"
Emily Turner, BCWJ Representative
"Exactly, because I thought that was my right. I didn't know that once I want to go and protest that I need to get their approval. By the constitution I'm supposed to just tell you that I will protest and you are supposed to do what the law says and administer it. I'm not asking you for approval, the approval is already given in our constitution."
As you heard in the story, the BCWJ is presently waiting for another protest permit.
