Police Attack Protesters Despite Orders to Hold Fire

POLICE ATTACK PROTESTERS DESPITE ORDERS. In Belize now as in the US, another protest turned quickly into a violent clash with police. Both sides have accused the other of lawlessness. Their negotiations have reached an impasse, with no resolution in sight. As Jesus said, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold” (Mt. 24:12).

After hearing that the Port of Belize dismissed 36 stevedores, the Christian Workers Union held a protest. CWU alleged that the Port did not notify them. The Port argued that they did. Furthermore, it said that its 41% fall in revenue due to Covid-19 made the dismissals necessary.

So the police Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) showed up in case any trouble arose. The Port wanted the GSU to move the CWU protesters off the Port compound. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams ordered the GSU regional commander Alden Dawson to let the protesters stay—as long as they remained peaceful.

But apparently that order never made it to the ground commander Daniel Arzu. Because Arzu ordered the GSU to remove the protesters. The GSU began to do so. It unleashed not only tear gas, but a hail of rubber bullets which injured several men.

This action drew condemnation from the Attorney General and Commissioner Williams himself. Dawson, Arzu and another senior officer, Edlin Lorenzo, were put on five days’ leave pending investigation. Williams angrily called for a far longer suspension and severe disciplinary measures.

But the Port laid the blame on the CWU protesters. It called the protest the fourth illegal strike action this year. Also, it accused the CWU of go-slow tactics which have harmed the Port financially.

Did port workers attack the Port?

Moreover, on Thursday the Port charged that protesters set fire to vehicles and to equipment. However, the Port lawyer and the COO failed to make those charges when they were interviewed the day before. Why now? And where is the evidence?

In any case, both police and protesters should stop and remove anyone from their midst who becomes disorderly. Protesters should ban torching and anything in their protest that might be used as a weapon. Likewise, police should follow a strict line of command before taking action against a protest. And implement reforms to make that line of command clear and accountable.

In fact, we can commend Commissioner Williams for quickly moving to do just that. He said that future responsibility for orders during a protest will belong to him and him alone. “So, my directive is that once there is any civil disobedience or any situation of a sensitive nature, the only person who will deploy GSU will be the commissioner of police, nobody else.”

If only leaders around the world would take responsibility during these perilous times as Williams has. Lawlessness cannot thrive where leaders enforce just laws. Violence cannot thrive where leaders protect the peace.