Garifuna Activists Demonstrate Against Disrespectful Statement  

A peaceful protest took to the water in Sittee River this morning, as Garifuna activists traveled by boat from Hopkins to call out what they describe as disrespectful and discriminatory remarks made during a recent village boundary meeting. The demonstration comes after tense exchanges over the weekend, where some expatriate property owners questioned Garifuna claims to land rights in the area. Activists say those comments dismiss the community’s deep historical and cultural ties and risk fueling division. Leading the charge was activist Maurice Herrera, who made it clear that the protest isn’t against Sittee River residents, but against what he says are outside efforts to undermine Garifuna identity and unity.

 

Maurice Herrera, Garifuna Activist

“We see it fit that we have to nip it in the bud. We didn’t want anything to get out of control or out of hand with rhetoric of discrimination and outright disrespect, not even knowing the history of the Garifuna people. And I see it fit that we had to address it, and had to address it in a very peaceful manner and to let it be known that this fight is not with the people of Sittee River. Those are our people as well, you know? Those are our friends, those are our neighbors. Those are Belizeans just like me and you, you know? And immigrants trying a quick one, thinking that we was gonna sit back and not say anything about it. We exercise a freedom of speech. We exercise freedom to traverse this country with peace, and that’s, that’s what this was about. Immigrants, you know, they are white as well. You know, it’s not – when we go to their country, they treat us far different, harshly. You know, they treat us like we’re less than humans and they turn around come in our territory and to cause this divide amongst our people. That really touched me. It makes me want to you know, I was really emotional. We will die for our, our people. We’ll die for to preserve our language, to preserve our attire, to preserve our food, to preserve our spirituality. We will die for that. Most importantly, I want the people of Sittee to get the message. Don’t let nobody cause a divide between us. We love them.”

 

The National Garifuna Council says the demonstration was not sanctioned by the Council but it supports any lawful demonstration by its people to ventilate this issue.

 

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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