The Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) is asking Belizeans to join in solidarity with the organization this weekend by not using their cell phones from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2008.
At high noon, on Wednesday, June 18, hundreds joined the organization in a spirited, two-hour march around the Belize Bank’s Market Square location – calling on British billionaire Michael Ashcroft to refund the US$10 million diverted to the bank by the PUP administration of Said Musa.
COLA recently elected its first executive, which will serve a one-year term: Bernard Adolphus – president, Elena Smith – vice president, Kathleen Flowers – secretary, Carolyn Wesby – assistant secretary, Patrick Rogers – treasurer, and the trustees – Alicia Wade and Angela Hyde.
The organization was first formed as the Committee to Oust Lord Ashcroft, but it has since been renamed to cover a broader mandate.
The relevance of the “no cell phone” solidarity weekend is to send a resounding and unmistakable message of people power to Ashcroft – whose phone company continues to dominate and reap handsome profits from the Belizean market but refuses to pay several millions in taxes. BTL boasts that cell phones have earned the company a large chunk of its revenues.
(NOTE: Anyone who uses their cell phone this weekend will be hit with the blood-sucking virus. The main symptom is the empty-pocket syndrome. COLA Anti-Virus (Version 2008) is available at no cost!)