Protest against violence in Cayo

The recent murder of thirteen year old Jasmine Lowe has struck a chord with Cayo residents, who are now standing up against the general increase in criminal activity in the area. Today, a peaceful demonstration was held that started at Columbus Park in San Ignacio and headed over the bridge to Santa Elena. The supporters did not come out in big numbers, as they did at the two vigils following Lowe’s murder, but the message was still sent that the crime needs to stop.

Marcel Bedran, Cayo Resident

Marcel Bedran

“Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another and that’s what I believe as Belizeans we need to love one another so that we can start molding and changing our society. Our message today is for the children and especially, it falls on Father’s Day weekend. Our children are so important to us that, men of Belize, unnu stand up fi unnu responsibilities and start training, teaching and educating your children at home. I will do it.”

Alberto Palma

Alberto Palma, President, Bishop Martin Neighborhood Watch Committee

“We want people to awaken, people to see what is happening in our community and we want people to unite because we done see that we can’t wait for the police to do their job. It looks like they are tied up, they can’t do everything. So we the community have to stand up and start to do our part and we need people to be concerned now of what is happening in our community; that is the message, let’s take care of our children, let’s start to take measures to protect our children because what is happening is very serious and very dangerous.”

Eduardo Juan, Former Minister

Eduardo Juan

“Since Mr. Gentle was moved from Santa Elena, the crime has escalated two thousand percent. Since he has been removed from here, we have had at least twenty or twenty-five crimes. We are here still getting more and more organized with the neighborhood watch because we need to take back our towns, we need to set examples.”

Ernie Braun

Ernie Braun, Cayo Resident

“There was at least two home invasions last night and there were several other cases of suspicious vehicles trying to get close to kids, which looked suspicious and dangerous and I heard there was a public break in and robbery this morning right here in town and so the escalation is there, it’s definitely there. Something needs to change. The community needs to come together. A lot of the crimes where the home invasions are being committed are areas where the neighborhood watches have not been formed yet.”

Hector Silva, Former Minister

Hector Silva

“San Ignacio people are fed up. They no longer report crimes; they prefer to take it on their chin because they began with the cry enough is enough. Today it’s no longer, it has been upgraded to enough is too much. People cannot stand this and it’s a damn shame that people have to be defending themselves when they are tax payers paying to be defended. This is the serious part of the whole thing.”

Celia Palma

Celia Palma, Cayo Resident

“Every day we could hear something happening; at our schools, at our homes and what are we doing? Just sitting down under a tree doing nothing? It is the time for the people to come; we need to come out together because together we can get the things done.”

While the demonstration did not have the number of supporters that were expected, the organizers say the momentum has not slowed down, but it was simply an issue of timing.