UDP Protest Rerouted as Police Block Princess Margaret Drive

A morning intended for a United Democratic Party demonstration against BTL turned into a standoff between the opposition and the Belize Police Department. The contention began over a permit that the UDP believed gave them the right to picket along Princess Margaret Drive. However, as the sun rose, so did the tension.  Just after eight o’clock this morning, the protest was abruptly diverted. Police Commander of Operations, Reymundo Reyes, intercepted the group, forcing them off the main thoroughfare and onto St. Joseph Street. The department cited the proximity to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and the Social Security offices as the reason for the last-minute change. This move was immediately met with pushback from UDP Leader Tracy Panton and Lee Mark Chang, who viewed the maneuver as a direct order from the government to stifle their voice.

Tracy Panton, UDP Party Leader: “A new low for the Briceño administration. We applied for a lawful permit to protest SSB. It was granted to us and now this Briceño  administration is trying to stifle the voices of the people and I am telling you they are going to push this crowd a little too far today if they continue this nonsense. Belizeans have a right to protest for matters of national importance. And this is a deliberate attempt to stifle the voices of the people.”

While the rhetoric was sharp from the leaders, the atmosphere on the ground was even more so.  As officers physically blocked the path to the SSB offices, UDP officials stood their ground. The following recording captures the moment the leadership came face-to-face with Commander Reyes, demanding an explanation for why their original permit was being ignored.

Lee Mark Chang, Mesopotamia Area Representative: “I told you earlier, we come to demonstrate peacefully. I want to demonstrate peacefully. But you knocking down my people it doesn’t look good officer. Don’t do that. Right ? You cannot do those things. I told my people don’t do that, now I tell you all don’t do that. Don’t suppress a demonstration. We don’t want violence, all we want to do is demonstrate and let the government know open the books, we do not want this deal. Noh tek we fi kunumunu. Stop spending our money like it’s your own money. That is not right.”

Police: At 9:44 you are being told that you are in breach of the permit because you’re obstructing the flow of traffic. 

Lee Mark Chang, Mesopotamia Area Representative: “Officer if you want me to pay it now I will pay it now officer.”