Today a small group of about 50 protestors marched thought the city streets demanding a higher minimum wage and lower fuel prices. The group was led by Moses Sulph of The Belize Leaders For Social Justice. It’s not the first time the group has organized a march - and not the first time either that the crowd has been less than overwhelming - but Sulph says the issues cut to the bone of social desperation so prevalent in society:
Moses Sulph - Bze. Leaders for Social Justice
"What I'm concerned about is that we live in a country where we have 151,000 of our people living in poverty. That means every day; these 151,000 Belizean humans will be struggling to provide for themselves and their family, that's a concern that should be a great concern. It is a fact that no Belizean, none out of the 80 plus thousand who are working for 3.30 Belize an hour can pay their basic bill from just that salary. What they have to do is either beg to make up the short fall, borrow to make up the short fall - which they will still owe. Thief to make up the short fall or prostitute themselves to make up the short fall; that is a reality. Our neighbours, our sisters, our brothers, our sons, our daughters are all living in poverty because of a starvation wage. The gas price, the highest in the entire region, in the entire world has 195 countries and those 195 countries; we're at 122 in the cost of gasoline."
Reporter
"Your numbers is what gets the government to react positively to these types of things. You've said that if you do it enough, more and more people will start coming."
Moses Sulph
"Yes that is what I said and that is what I believe. Contrary to what some of the media houses may think, it's not happening. I recall the last minimum wage rally, we had about 15 people, so we have about 80 to 90 who came today, all of these people are here but you know how Belizeans are afraid of the camera. I cannot control who comes out, I'm simply saying we will continue to do what we do and I'm sure more people will get on board at some point."
Deseree Gordin - Mother of 6
"I can't find employment because they ask my name and address and when they know my address that is the problem, my address, Lake I."
Reporter
"So then talk to us about your struggles. You say you have 6 children, are all of them in school?"
Deseree Gordin
"All of them are in school, I have 2 in high school and 4 in primary school and one that will graduate right here going to high school."
Reporter
"So how do you get it done?"
Deseree Gordin
"Well, I'm a struggler, I'm a warrior, I fight for my children, I fight for myself, I fight for what I need. As Moses said a lot of people like this in my shoes right now but they are ashamed and afraid but now I have to step up because this is too much."
Sulph says the crowd was 80 - we counted about 50. He says regardless of the numbers, he will continue marching until change comes.
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