Heavy Police Watch as UDP Protests SSB

The United Democratic Party brought its message straight to the streets of Belize City today, rallying outside the Social Security Board headquarters to make their voices heard. From just after nine this morning, supporters gathered with placards urging the board to say no to BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet, warning the decision could have serious consequences for workers and contributors nationwide. Calling for greater transparency and accountability, protesters vowed to keep the pressure on, under the watchful eye of a heavy police presence. News Five was there live, and this is what unfolded.

 

Shane Williams Reporting…

Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says the pressure is only ramping up, as the UDP pushes the Briceño administration and BTL to abandon the eighty‑million‑dollar Speednet deal. Today marked “round two” of a planned wave of protests, with supporters turning out at the Social Security Board headquarters. For an opposition fighting to stay relevant, the optics were strong, though somewhat blunted by the board’s decision to move its meeting to Belmopan.

 

Shane Williams

“Tell us what is the plan now that the board meeting has been moved to Belmopan?”

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“Don’t worry, they’re hearing us in Belmopan. The point is the SSB board must hear the voices of the people. Our people don’t get a chance to opt out of paying their social security contributions monthly. And so it is our attempt to get the board members to hear from the people whose money they wish to use for private gains.”

 

Shane Williams

“You’ve dubbed this round two. This is round two. Are you impressed by the showing so far out here? Stay with us for the rest of the day so you can see  what round two looks like.”

 

Round two was meant to stay on St. Joseph Street after authorities denied permission to protest directly in front of the Social Security Building, which sits beside the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, a designated quiet zone. But as protests often do, this one began in defiance of its approved permit. The authorization, issued to the UDP under Mesopotamia Area Representative Lee Mark Chang, was breached even before the official ten a.m. start time, prompting a warning from Senior Superintendent Reymundo Reyes.

 

Lee Mark Chang, Mesopotamia Representative

“Don’t do that. Alright, don’t do that. You cannot do those things. I tell my people don’t do that. Now I tell unu don’t do that. Don’t suppress wa demonstration. We don’t want violence. All we want to do is demonstrate and make the government know, open the books. We do not want this deal. Noh tek wi fi kunu munu. Stop the spend fi we money like da fi unu own money. That is not right.”

 

Reymundo Reyes, Senior Superintendent.

“At nine-forty-four, you are being informed of the breach of the permit because you’re obstructing the flow of traffic.”

 

Lee Mark Chang

“Officer if you want I pay it now I wa pay it now officer.”

 

Definitely a different side of Lee Mark Chang from the peacemaker we saw in front of BTL’s headquarters last week. His anger stemmed from learning that police had detained his campaign general and Mesopotamia ground commander, Brian “Yellowman” Audinette, moments before the protest, in what many viewed as a preemptive effort to neutralize a key party agitator.

 

Lee Mark Chang

“Do not stifle our voices, right. We have a right to be heard. We have a right to demonstrate. No violence and Im not asking for violence but when yo goh lock down wa man pan nada, pan trumped up charge, now that da foolishness.”

 

Detaining Audinett appeared to have the opposite effect police intended. It added fuel to the UDP’s fire and the demand for his release morphed into a rally cry.

 

Shane Williams

“What’s the status of Yellowman?”

 

Tracy Panton

“New low for the Briceño administration, a new low. He has been detained for gang affiliation.  Now everybody knows in this country that the only organized group that Yellowman is a part of is the United Democratic Party, and so I hope it is not the intention of this Briceno administration to suggest that the UDP is a gang because we’ll have a real problem.”

 

And despite losing one of its generals to a police detention, the UDP moved forward with fresh momentum, bolstered by wide national backing and a rare sighting of Hugo Patt, who came out of Corozal North to march with his party leader.

 

Hugo Patt, Corozal North Representative

“We had to show support to our party but more importantly to the people of this country who are voicing their opinions about the potential acquisition by BTL of Speednet. And I believe it is time now for us to stand up against what’s happening with this government.”

 

Shane Williams

“What are your people saying in Corozal about the proposed consolidation?”

 

Hugo Patt

“First of all, there is no transparency. There are more questions than answers and everything seems to be happening in secrecy.”

 

Unlike the scene in front of BTL’s headquarters, UDP candidates from across the country showed up for this demonstration, perhaps all sensing the vulnerability of the administration on this issue and no doubt seeking to pounce on the political opportunity that’s been presented. Few joined the push against the police cordon, but the message was unified.

 

Godwin Haylock, Queen Square Representative

“It’s a national issue. One that Belizeans need to be aware that they are not getting value for money. That’s the most important thing in this deal, not value for money.”

 

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Senator

“I mean this is beyond political. I know a lot of people will try to label this as PUP trying to buy Smart and the UDP opposing it for opposing sake but that is not the case. We all understand the importance of what it would be like if we shift out away from competition  to a monopoly and that is what the Belizean people and not only the independent senators and ourselves but many other sectors within Belize, they are saying no to this. And I cannot understand why this government, especially the Prime Minister continues to push it.”

 

Patrick Faber, UDP Senator

“We have come to send a signal to the Social Security Board today who has major stakes in BTL and who operates with the people’s money and with the people’s mandate. That should never happen. They should send a message to the rest of BTL and the Prime Minister, this acquisition stinks to hell and we need to get rid of it. and that the UDP will not relent and our social partners are not relenting.”

 

Khalid Belisle, Belmopan UDP Standard Bearer

“I think it was vital that we came and lend our support to the unions in their push to force the government to listen to the will of the people. Everywhere you go, you know, and you discuss this issue, the vast majority aren’t content with proceeding with this at this point in time. We don’t have enough information.”

 

There were several attempts to push past the police line, but tensions largely stayed in check, with restraint on both sides avoiding a full confrontation. After delivering their message to the SSB board, the UDP shifted focus to freeing “Yellowman.” Led by Tracy Panton, protesters moved up Princess Margaret Drive and onto Belcan Bridge, blocking traffic and vowing not to leave until he was released. When police didn’t respond, plans were made to shut down the Flag Monument roundabout during the lunch‑hour rush; but just then, word came that Yellowman was free. Skeptical of police assurances, protesters held the bridge until he arrived. Minutes later, he emerged from a taxi as a hero to the crowd, now a symbol of the UDP’s defiance. Shane Williams for News Five.