He's trying to get elected as the new Area Representative of Mesopotamia, but yesterday, the UDP's Shyne Barrow made a bold move when he invited personalities from the George Street Gang and the Taylor's Alley Gang to a Father's Day event.
It was held on a basketball court that Barrow built in the heart of Taylor's Alley turf. This court is being treated as a sort of neutral ground for these two warring gangs, who are moving to de-escalate the many years of enmity, tension and death.
They have agreed among themselves, with the intervention of the police, the Conscious Youth Development Program, and mediator Nuri Muhammad, that the ongoing blood feud between them will only result in more lives lost to gun violence.
But, as viewers are aware, many attempts have been made over the years to establish a lasting cease-fire among the different gangs in the City. So, what makes this attempt different? That's what we asked Shyne today on the basketball court, he wishes will foster peace in his constituency. Here's that conversation:
Shyne Barrow- UDP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
"Peace in this community has been something that I have longed for ever since I have been campaigning and canvassing in Mesopotamia. I would like to see throughout the entire South Side but I can only take responsibility for my particular constituency. I have maintained relationships with all factions because I consider them my lee breda. I was able to find the funds to buy the basketball rims, fiberglass, NBA, and so we have this court. This court has been used for productive constructive activity and it would be fitting that the first steps towards a lasting peace would happen right here. And I really have to give credit to the young leaders in the community because they wanted peace as much as I wanted peace. We have to give credit to the Commissioner, Mr. Nuri and others at CYDP who have been working to make these kinds of breakthroughs. So it is a collective effort. I don't want it to seem like it's just me that came and all of a sudden there is peace. It is something that I believe all of us wanted but it was just how to go about it. And Covid has really brought out the best in all Belizeans and certainly in Mesopotamia. George Street has a basketball court that they use on George Street and Euphrates. So, I felt it was important that these young people have a basketball court that they could use. I am overjoyed that now George Street can come over here and play and Taylor's Alley will go over there when we have our next tournament and play."
Daniel Ortiz- Reporter
"Sir, do you foresee that it will last for any extended or permanent basis because we know many have tried and these two groups that we are talking about have a deep rivalry that has resulted in a lot of blood shed."
Shyn Barrow
"Part of growth, part of evolution is you have to adjust, you have to adapt. And I think those gentlemen, when they were incarcerated for the state of emergency, they came out with a renewed vision with a renewed lease on life and said this is what they want to do. So, it will last as long as they want it to last. But I believe that people like me need to constantly find opportunities, lasting opportunities. Because if people are in a position to take care of their family and take care of themselves and it doesn't involve criminal activity, then that will go a long way in keeping that desire for a lasting peace."
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