Police Deny UDP Permit; Wednesday Protest Approved

The United Democratic Party had planned to stage a second protest against the proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition to coincide with today’s opening of the new parliamentary session, but party leader Tracy Panton says police denied the permit. The UDP has since been approved to demonstrate outside the Social Security Board headquarters on Wednesday, the same day the National Trade Union Congress of Belize is also scheduled to protest at that location.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader, United Democratic Party

“There is a permit for Wednesday. We are calling on all Belizeans to join us on Wednesday at ten o’clock as we meet outside the Social Security Board. The board has a meeting at eleven and of course we look forward to having the support of all union members and civil society.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Was the initial plan to protest today?”

 

Tracy Panton

“We had plans to protest today. The permit was denied, even though the prime minister speaks very bold about the rights of citizens should  be preserved and we have the rights to protest. Obviously we would have preferred the protest not to happen today. They used a technicality in the law to deny us the permit. But that will not keep us quiet. We will be sure that out voices will be heard at every occasion we have.”

 

When asked if she expects any charges to stem from last week’s unrest on BTL’s compound, Panton said no, but if they come then the party is prepared to deal with them.