Dismal Turnout: Does San Pedro Protest Signal Rising Public Frustration?

Frustration is spilling into the streets in San Pedro, where residents say rising costs and ongoing development projects are pushing them to the limit. This afternoon, a group of determined demonstrators marched through the town, calling attention to fuel prices, dredging concerns, and the overall cost of living. Carrying signs and chanting for change, the protesters made their way from Saca Chispas Stadium to Central Park, sending a clear message that they want action. After the march, News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with some of those taking a stand. Here’s that story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Residents of Ambergris Caye are speaking out, and demanding action. About thirty protesters took to the streets this afternoon, rallying against dredging and the rising cost of living. While the turnout was small, demonstrators say the frustration runs deep across the island.

 

On the Phone: Abner Bacab, San Pedro Resident

“It was a small number. I am a bit disappointed, to say something. I believe that all of San Pedro should have come out because this is of utmost importance. You know, the corruption happening in our country, the cost of living going up, the diesel going up. Everybody posts on Facebook. When it comes to show up, people are basically,  I think they’re afraid, they’re intimidated because of what has been happening here in Belize because of the different corruptions in different system, no? So but again, if we don’t stand up for ourselves, who will, no? We have to stand up for ourselves.”

 

The protest was originally planned as a march outside the office of Area Representative, Andre Perez, however, that route was denied by the Belize Police Department. Despite the small turnout, organizer Celestino Tzul pressed on, leading the march from Saca Chispas Stadium to Central Park. He believes fear of victimization kept more residents from joining.

 

On the Phone: Celestino Tzul, Protest Organizer

“I appreciate the people that showed up today. This is not a resemblance of where we stand. This just shows that the people are living in fear, that the people are afraid to be victimized. The people are held accountable of their services and they are held ransom of what they really deserve.”

 

Dredging has emerged as a major concern for protesters, who are increasingly alarmed by the projects taking place across the country in recent months. While the government claims it has hit pause on several operations, residents demand greater transparency and consultation before these projects are approved.

 

Abner Bacab

“We’re fighting today for our community, our communities first, which is the destruction of our natural resources, our marine ecosystems, our mangroves, our barrier reef, our Caribbean Sea, our lagoons that are being destroyed every day. And the government don’t seem to do anything about it or care about it, you know? So we’re fighting for tourism to keep alive here in Belize ’cause if all these ecosystems are damaged, then nobody will come here, right? So we’re actually fighting to protect our livelihood.”

 

Another issue highlighted by protesters was the financial strain due to the rising costs of living on the island. Residents are now calling on the government to boosts Belize’s economy as the costs of fuel continues to rise.

 

On the Phone: Celestino Tzul

“The cost of living is high. And of course they need a way out. The government needs to figure out that. We need to work together and they have to figure out how we can become a country that is productive rather than a country that is just taking handouts.”

 

Tzul is now planning to organize another protest, one he hopes will draw more supporters.

 

On the Phone: Celestino Tzul

“We’ll figure a way, another way forward, but this is just the first. We’re gonna figure out another protest, and I expect that more people will show up for the next one, and understand that this is not politics. This is about our livelihood. This is about our future. This is about our youth. You understand? The country itself is suffering. How much more can we take or how far are we gonna take this?”

 

Following the march, protesters gathered in Central Park, where they continued to voice their demands and call on the government to make life easier for residents. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Protest organizer Celstino Tzul also plans to run for mayor of San Pedro next year, committing to fostering a new era if change for the island.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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