Loud on Cannabis, Quiet on Crime? Church Voices Under Scrutiny

This past Saturday, the Hope Not Dope campaign took its message to Caye Caulker, just days before Belizeans head to the polls for the cannabis referendum. Church members and residents from the island, Belize City, and Belmopan rallied against marijuana legalization in the village. Their voices were loud, but here’s what we’re asking: while the church speaks out on this issue, are they equally vocal about other pressing concerns, like the surge in violent crime gripping the country? News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the island and brings us this report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Saturday afternoon, a crowd of people, led by church leaders, gathered in Caye Caulker Village to march against the legalization of marijuana on the island. On Wednesday, registered voters on the island will cast their ballots in a referendum to determine the fate of cannabis legalization in the community. Saturday’s march was spearheaded by the Hope Not Dope campaign leader, Celina Jimenez.

 

Celina Jimenez, Leader, Hope Not Dope

“The message is that we say no to marijuana. We are also encouraging everybody who are voters in this area to go out and vote on the eighth of October and vote no.”

 

Jimenez says she is concerned that the legalization of marijuana will negatively affect the thriving tourism industry on the island.

 

Celina Jimenez

“If this comes into effect, the mission group has written to the churches that they will no longer come, because they don’t feel safe, and that will hurt our economy, our pockets, our immediate direct income that comes from these people. That is our hotels, restaurants, the tour guides, you name it. Even business and crafted items, they sell small items, they depend on the tourists that come here.”

Participants marched and drove throughout the village with their messages printed out on banners and written on placards. The resounding theme was for registered voters to mark an “X” beside “no” on October eighth. We spoke with several islanders, during the rally, about their concerns over the potential legalization of marijuana in Caye Caulker.

 

Caye Caulker Resident #1

“I am a pastor of the Assembly of God here in Caye Caulker and I have many things why I say no. I want to take care of the people’s spiritual and moral condition and second it is because of the future generation. That is my big concern.”

 

Caye Caulker Resident #2

“I mainly think about the kids. I am a parent, but I am also a teacher, so I am thinking about what the future will hold, if this comes to play for my little island.”

 

Caye Caulker Resident #3

“Well I am a parent from this island, this is my home, I grew up here, and I have a son that was introduced to this and there is a problem with the mental issue.”

 

The perspectives varied, from concerns about the future of the island’s youth population, to questions surrounding the mental health effects of marijuana. Some participants believe that legalization will increase crime on the island and that it will affect the village’s student population’s ability to learn.  But there are critics who say that the church should be less focused on marijuana and give more attention to the increasing criminal activities across the country, including shootings and murders. Church Senator, Louis Wade had this to say in response.

 

Louis Wade, Church Senator

“So anytime the church talks they say, why don’t you do this and that. I have been in the public domain for more than thirteen years, before me there were others, after me there will be others. You have the Council of Churches and Evangelic Association. They speak on every issue. They sit on the seats that everybody else sits. Churches are more active in this country than most NGOs and NGOs are far better funded than the churches. We have a dilemma here. Whenever the churches speak on an issue, they say shut up, this is politics, stay out of it. When we are silent on a particular issue, then they will say the church is silent. I want to declare that the church is at work every single day.”

 

But was Saturday’s turnout convincing enough to sway island voters towards a no vote on Wednesday? That is left to be seen. What is certain is that those of legal voting age who participated on Saturday are committed to having their votes count towards the “no” option.

 

Caye Caulker Resident #4

“I have kids, I have daughters and I believe that it is going to cause a lot of nuisance to the community. When someone is smoking, even if it is cigarette, there is the secondary smoking. I am a legal voter here in Caye Caulker.”

 

Paul Lopez

“And you will vote no?”

 

Caye Caulker Resident #4

No, yup.”

 

The march ended with a rally on the island where participants sung, danced and prayed against what they refer to as a “evil agenda” being thrusted on residents of the island. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.