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Here at this newsroom, we were… skeptical of this boast, but yesterday, the PUP mobilised with the kind of mass street support, and flexed with the kind of muscle that it hadn't shown in decades to send a message loud and clear to Belmopan. Our news team was in front row seat for the political show, and Daniel Ortiz reports:

Central American Boulevard, one of Belize City's most trafficked streets was taken over yesterday by PUP supporters from all across the country.

About a half-hour before the march started, hundreds of supporters were already getting into position, with a PUP hype man and a hype woman making periodic heat checks of the gathering crowd's energy.

Hype Man
"This is the motto for today! Call Elections..."

Supporters
"Now!"

Hype Man
"Call Elections..."

Supporters
"Now!"

Hype Man
"Call Elections!"

Supporters
"Now!"

Hype Man
"It's early still. I'll deal with you all later on!"

As we understand it, the front end of this PUP march against corruption was planned for the corner of the boulevard and Faber's Road. Due to the number of demonstrators, however, police and traffic had to allow the organizers a few more city blocks to assemble.

Also, there was a half-hour delay at the start of the march because some of the many busloads of supporters were late due to the volume of checkpoints on the highways.

But, when the PUP's demonstration actually commenced, they easily had numbers necessary to deliver on the Opposition Leader's promise that the Party would mobilize 10,000 supporters.

After a long trek through other main streets in the City, the crowd gathered at the Battlefield Park, and it became immediately apparent that the park wasn't big enough. So, some of the demonstrators had to stand on Albert and Regent Streets.

And the final figures? Well, we counted just over 10,000. Police say, 9,000, but the PUP insisted that 15,000 supporters showed up.

Hon. John Briceno - Leader of the Opposition
"I'm very excited. We asked for 10,000, but from all estimates from what we're hearing, it seems that we got probably as close as 15,000. So, I'm very satisfied that the people did heed our call to come out and show that they are tired of the UDP."

The PUP's message of anti-corruption was evident in the posters that some of the demonstrators carried. Some of those placards depicted the strongest allegations of wrongdoings by the Barrow administration. That message was reiterated at the rally by several of the chosen speakers enjoying the warmth and reception that comes with home-court advantage.

Hon. John Briceno
"Look at People out here! From north to south, east to west, we have come out over 10,000 strong. And we're saying with one voice, enough is enough."

"I know that the UDP was happy when the unions decided that they were not going to demonstrate with us. But it was good that the unions went out on Thursday because Dean Barrow could also know that even the unions are tired of the UDP. And it is even better now because the UDP can't say that the unions brought out the people. We are here to tell them that this is the power of the blue machine, ladies and gentlemen."

Hon. Kareem Musa - PUP Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"Wow, you all are making me weak in my knees! You're so blue-tiful! My brothers and sisters, there is no power greater than the power of the people."

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai - PUP Area Rep., Orange Walk South
"We send 3 messages to Dean Barrow. The first one is the unequivocal condemnation, the discontent of the people of Belize. That's message # 1. Message #2 is the unified strength of the People's United Party, and number 3, he has to address the problems that he's put this country in. We want our money back."

Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Area Rep., Cayo South
"So, we want an audit on the Petrocaribe money. We want an audit on the 1.5 billion dollars. We want to audit the contractors that got those works. We want an audit to make sure that your money."

"Barrow can't tell that he went to the House, and he said, Oh, I spent 20 million here, 30 million there, 40 million here. That is not an audit, Ladies, and Gentlemen. An audit gives you value for money, and it determines if the money was spent. So, listen to me. If they say they have nothing to hide, and they say that they're God's children, then do the audit."

Hon. Cordel Hyde - PUP Area Rep., Lake Independence
"No politician, no political party will have an epiphany, you know? It's the people who have to make sure that the people do what they're supposed to do. So, I love Miss Elena. I love my brother. I rate Dean Flowers and Speed Henry and others. But, I don't want them [the unions] be our friend. I want them to hold our feet to the fire, make sure that we do what we're supposed to do every single day whilst we are in power. Because this business where a handful of people have everything and the vast majority has nothing, that has to stop, brother."

Hon. Rodwell Ferguson Jr. - PUP Area Rep., Stann Creek West
"We waited for 12 years, and the best never came. So together, we're going to deliver for you, whenever Dean Barrow calls the elections."

Hon. Oscar Requena - PUP Area Rep., Toledo West
"I know Mr. Barrow and the UDP are watching this. They know that their days are numbered. The UDP, their days are numbered, my friends. So, what do we say? Call the elections now! Call the Elections Now!"

Bernard Wagner - PUP Mayor, Belize City Council
"Today, on this the 23rd of February, we march with similar objectives. We march with the winds of change in our backs blowing stronger, and building a rising tide that will build into the blue Tsunami!"