Edward Flowers, chairman of the Committee and former president of the Senate, said that the Carnival Committee needs to put serious consideration into what they are doing. He reminisced about his early years when he used to march for the Tenth celebrations through Government Yard as a young boy, with homemade musical instruments such as milk pans, graters and homemade harmonicas.
Flowers said that since 1996 it seemed to be a precedent to hold the carnival on the Tenth day, but that the Carnival Committee had agreed thereafter that they would never again hold the carnival on the same day with the celebrations. He added, in response to a question from the media, that he does not see it as a ?done deal.?
He said that the St. George?s Caye Day Committee is celebrating the victory of the battle and not the battle itself. He said that he would not want to be a pessimist, but that he hoped the battle would not have to be fought over again, for respect.
Flowers said he has nothing against the carnival, but does not see it fit to be held on the Tenth day. Mr. Flowers said that he sees no reason and no purpose why the Carnival Road March planned for the Tenth should take place. He said that his Committee has already put out a calendar of events, most of which will take place at the Putt-Putt Bar and Grill on the Newtown barracks, but that the police have promised to shut down the events. He said that the issue is baffling and perplexing, as it had been discussed several years ago that carnival would not be held on the Tenth.
Emerson Guild, an activist for Belizean rights, said that if we do not stand for something, nothing will happen. Gill said that there is a song being written by a prominent Belizean poet with the words, ?Raise yu Belizean flag, not yu Carnival rag.?
He added that this weekend on Saturday, August 27, from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. there will be a rally at the Battlefield Park where there will be protesting and speeches on the topic.
An elderly supporter held a sign which read, ?Protect our Belizean heritage. We are here because THEY were here!?