The general protest shutdown continued yesterday and today with the government school teachers staying out of the classrooms.
The big news today is the rumor of a bomb threat at the Tourist Village in downtown Belize City. This was about an hour ago. The news I have is "twice-removed". Someone I know is going to drive by there and see if it is true that cruise passengers are being taken back to their ships.
I will update if I have more news. Meanwhile I will keep this thread alive with reported news for folks who are interested.
GalvestonGal - now Belize Gial
"Another day of empty classrooms - from Channel 5
When we last checked in with members of the Belize National Teachers Union they were being dragged from the area in front of the National Assembly building following various acts of civil disobedience. Today, although no longer in Belmopan, they remained off the job. News 5's Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Despite the Minister of Education Francis Fonsecas appeal for schools to be open on Monday and for teachers to report back to classes following the two day shut down on Thursday and Friday, most institutions in Belize City remain closed. While the Belize National Teachers Union made its decision known over the weekend, some high school and primary school students still reported to classes, only to be told that there would be no school. A minority of teachers came to school but did not stay. While our cameras were denied access to Edward P. Yorke High School we did observe some students in a classroom however by mid afternoon they were given the option to leave most did.
Natasha James, Student, E.P. Yorke High School
The students that came they put two classes together and they let the teachers who came teach the class today and that is what they did.
Jacqueline Woods
How many teachers came today?
Natasha James
I am not sure; maybe about half.
At Nazarene high school a total of fifty-one students out of an enrolment of three hundred and sixty-four students reported to school. At Pallotti High School the students were told to go home except those young women serving detention..........
Link to Belize news at: http://www.belizenews.com
More interviews on TV Channel 5:
Compol says he was in command on Friday
The video footage is now part of the nation's folklore of rebellion, right up there with the Tower Hill Bridge and streets of Benque Viejo. But if you thought that the Star Wars like precision of the riot squad and ballet style choreography of Assistant Commissioner Crispin Jefferies were spur of the moment decisions, think again. In the middle of the action in Belmopan, News 5's Stewart Krohn had a chat with Commissioner of Police Carmen Zetina...and guess what? Big brother was not only watching, but also giving orders.
Stewart Krohn
How would you assess the work of your men and women today?
Carmen Zetina, Commissioner of Police
Well, I must commend my officers. I think we exercised a lot of restrain. We came in as you see and you can see through the videos if you have a repeat of it that we came under heavy attack by people throwing missiles. People have been arrested because people might not know, we have gone so sophisticated that everybody out here were under video, under cameras.
Stewart Krohn
Do you plan to prosecute everyone for example that the video caught throwing stones?
Carmen Zetina
I will review the tape and I will take action against those persons who committed themselves.
Rene Mendez, Love Fm
Sir can you comment on Mr. Jefferies action that people are calling for him to be...they are saying that he is the one provoking the people and he is firing randomly.
Carmen Zetina
Mr. Jefferies did not do it on his own. Ill be man enough to tell you that when I was watching it in the control centre, it was me who gave the instructions. Maybe you all dont know about it, Mr. Jefferies does not act on his own. He was acting under instructions.
Stewart Krohn
Commissioner could you describe the kind of command and control system that was in place today.
Carmen Zetina
Well as you saw it, and initially as you know, we brought in the recruits to be the passive sty to maintain the curtain that was erected for all the demonstrators and my position that we used the soft hand a the beginning and you see that our guys came under heavy attack and engage people who were well equipped to deal with any given situation that occurs.
Rene Mendez
Commissioner, the time for these demonstrators is up at three oclock. They are saying that wouldnt go. What would happen then?
Carmen Zetina
Well, I will decide at three oclock exactly where we are going with respect to that because at three oclock every assembly out here becomes illegal.
Stewart Krohn
Commissioner could you describe the types of elements that your men were using today? For example we saw the use of shotgun but we are not totally sure what kinds of shells were used inside.
Carmen Zetina
Well it wasnt shell as you know and its rubber. I think only one was shot. It was a rubber bullet. We had gas as you had seen. Those are the first initial actions the police in any given situation, especially bustling situation.
Stewart Krohn
Have you and your department learnt anything through todays actions that you would do differently next time?
Carmen Zetina
I dont think so. I think well maintain that position that is skilled through training and I dont see anything that we have done different because I will continue to use certain restraint than using any force.