While Chang Confronts Crowd, Unions Stand Firm

As Lee Mark Chang stood in the middle of the chaos, wedged between police officers and an increasingly agitated crowd, the unions took a very different approach. They stayed put on Saint Thomas Street, choosing not to follow protesters onto the BTL compound. So, we asked union leaders why they made that call. And their answer was striking: they say there will come a time for unrest, but today simply wasn’t that day. Here’s how they explained their decision.

 

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB

“They have their own way of doing things and we have our own way. We are very responsible people out here and we can send that message loudly without storming the building.”

 

Reporter

“Do you believe peaceful protests are enough for BTL to hear you?”

 

Ella Waight

“This is the beginning, like I mentioned.  This is just the beginning to say we are serious. Don’t take us to the next level, because when it comes to the next level then other things will happen. But this is just the beginning and we are hoping that with just this it will ensure that they will halt the process.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What did you tell supporters when they were witnessing what was taking place?”

 

Ella Waight

“Nobody tried to venture forward. We tried to stay  together because we are the NTUCB and we know how we do things. We do things slowly and responsibly and we want our members, our brothers and sisters in there to be safe.”

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“While the union will never be a proponent of violence, there will come a time when we will propose violence. I am saying this, I am restraining myself from becoming militant like those that came before me, because my crowd nuh ready for that yet. I nuh ready for that yet. But I am saying to these politicians and I want to remind John Briceño while he was in opposition he said we need to change because one of us will get hurt. I want to remind you of that sir, one ah unu wah get hurt if unu continue exploit Belizeans and this country in the manner you are doing. Take heed.”