“Land for the needy, not for the greedy!”

The Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) pulled off its land reform rally on Tuesday, February 26, in Belmopan with supporters from different areas around the country.

The organization led a march during which they sang inspirational songs and chanted slogans like “Land for the needy, not for the greedy” and “What do we want — transparency and accountability.”

The march ended at the steps of the National Assembly Building, where members of BGYEA and its social partners took time to express their concerns on the issue. The rally ended around 1 p.m.

The crowd was about 150 — a number that fell short of what was anticipated, given the fact that BGYEA has sought to assist hundreds of Belizeans to acquire a piece of land. That number did not seem to discourage the group that was out, however.

BGYEA president Nigel Petillo said that they were out there in solidarity to send one unified message to the Government. That message is that the people want and need land reform. Petillo said that they will fight now so that the future generations won’t have to.

“The number signifies that we are concerned,” Petillo said. “We know that we want better; we can demand better and we expect the government to listen to us. This is all we’re doing here today. Bringing out issues we have, the things we believe hold back the grassroots individuals from acquiring a piece of land. As you can see out here, the many different faces, the many different races, the many different ethnicities have been going through these same problems.”

Although BGYEA has been featured on several media outlets expressing their frustration and commenting on the “flaws” of the Lands Department and the Government, they insisted that they are not trying to attack the Government but simply trying to put across their concerns. Petillo said that they are willing to work with the Government, but the Government must be open to the demands of transparency and accountability.

“The demonstration today is just another way of communicating,” he said. “It’s not a way of fighting or attacking our Government. We just want to meet with our Government and dialogue and see how we can put together open transparency as far as it comes to the distribution of land.”

Among the supporters were different activists and individuals who have been fighting for land ownership as well.

Emir Correa of Belmopan said that he is not yet a land owner, but his wife’s land has been paid for and they have not yet received the documents for it.

“Something is wrong, the Constitution is wrong and they need to change it so that everyone can get a piece of land in Belize,” he said. “I have children, they’re big. My big son is 34 years and he doesn’t have a piece. We are trying to get a piece for him, but not through the Government, but with them [BGYEA] so we have to support.”

Correa said that the demonstration was necessary to show all politicians, not only the ones in power, that when the people vote for them they didn’t win the lottery, but they were voted for to be good leaders to the people.

Naseesa Major of Belize City said that she has officially become a land owner but went out to support the cause because she feels that the people have been disrespected. She too had support from BGYEA when she needed it most.

“I just came out because I said the people were disrespected when the Minister got on TV and said he doesn’t know what those people are talking about,” she said. “He has everything coming to his desk. How can you be the leader and not know what the people are talking about? He disrespected everybody when he said that,” she commented.

Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) president Giovanni Brackett said they make no apologies for being out on Tuesday and protesting against the land distribution system.

“We’re not here in the thousands, but you know what, from small things could lead big things,” he said. “And I would urge the organizers of the protest here today that the next time we march, if they don’t listen today, let’s take it through the office of Ministry of Natural Resources and shut those things down.”

Brackett said that COLA members are completely upset at the land system in Belize.

“We have no proper land utilization strategy and we have no proper way of saying how land will be used,” he said. “It seems like it’s a free for all, but free for all for who — the rich and the famous? And we at the grassroots level can’t get a piece of land.”

BGYEA and its supporters claim that they will continue their fight until they see the changes they believe are needed.