U.B. Student Union Says Lack of Students Support a “Disgrace”

Ashley Longford, the president of the National Student Union of Belize spoke frankly with the media about the lack of support for today’s demonstration from students. Longford was one of two executive members from her union out at the demonstration. But aside from them, there were no signs of representation from any tertiary level student body. She referred to the lack of support from students, especially those from the University of Belize, as a disgrace.

 

Ashley Longford, President, N.S.U.B.

“I am the only one out here, where are the U.B. students, where is the U.B. student government, where is the U.B. student body? Where are they? It is a disgrace that they are not out here right now. That hospital was to go on U.B. land. Look at what the government did, pay six point nine million dollars. Where is the U.B. students? Where are the youths of the country? We are the future of this country. I am twenty-four years old. They are suppose to stand up for us right now, stand up for our future man.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you think they don’t care?”

 

Ashley Longford

“I care. The students have to care. That hospital was to go to U.B. land. The government said to U.B. that land was to be accessible to U.B. medical students. Where are U.B. medical students. We are in Belmopan right now. The university is here. Where are the students of this country? I tried to mobilize students. I called every student government in this country, every tertiary education student government. Some said it is too short notice. You can’t tell me U.B. student government can’t come here. You can’t tell me Galen can’t come here.”