UDP senator and lawyer OJ Elrington held a Belizean constitutional reform focus group meeting on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 131 Arlington Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City.
by Wellington C. Ramos, Columnist and Belizean activist
Mon. June 26, 2023
On Friday, the 23rd of June, 2023, about fifty Belizeans attended a Belizean constitutional reform focus group meeting that was sponsored by the Belizean Friends of Saint Joseph Anglican Parish, located at 131 Arlington Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City.
The guest speaker was a prominent Belizean, UDP senator, politician and lawyer, OJ Elrington, whose picture is attached above. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Betty Williams, who began the meeting by asking the audience to stand up for the playing of Belize’s National Anthem. That was followed by an opening prayer delivered by Reverend Lincoln Miller. Ms. Williams then introduced lawyer OJ Elrington to the audience.
Senator OJ Elrington began by discussing how he volunteered to make arrangements with fellow Belizeans to have the important focus group discussion. He went on by explaining the purpose of the People’s Constitutional Commission (PCC), the processes that will take place when the Commission is completed with their recommendations, and what the Belizean citizens can do to engage themselves in the process.
Some issues he mentioned that many Belizeans have brought to his attention are: Voting rights in Belize for Belizean American citizens (The current three-month residency requirement for them to vote, which is impossible for them to meet because they cannot be at two different places at the same time); representation rights in the Belize National Assembly for Belizeans living in the United States and abroad (giving Belizeans living in the United States and abroad the right to have a member or members in the Belize House of Representatives); the importance of the involvement of Belizean citizens living in the United States and abroad in the process; the migration of Belizeans to the United States; and the opportunity for Belizeans to own land in their country. After he concluded his presentation, he opened the floor for the audience to ask questions.
QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED:
Q-1: Why are the Belizean banks limiting the funds that a person can withdraw from his or her account?
OJ’s answer: The United States Government has imposed some restrictions on the Government of Belize to enforce.
Q-2: What must Belizeans living in the United States and abroad do, to have a member or members in the House of Representatives to represent and serve their overseas citizens?
OJ’s answer: They must organize themselves and make their demands known to the People’s Constitutional Commission (PCC).
Q-3: Why it is so difficult to open a bank account in Belize?
OJ’s answer: The money laundering issue has caused the Belize Government and banks, to comply with some recommendations made by the US Government.
Statement and Q-4: The Belize Government has neglected the Belizean citizens living in the United States and abroad to the point that there is not even a Belizean Consul Office in New York City for Belizeans. They possess the second largest Belizean population in the United States. What can be done about it?
OJ’s answer: I agree that the Belizean citizens in New York City need a Consul and an office, and I will bring it to the attention of the Belize Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay when I arrive back in Belize.
Q-5: What can be done to improve the quality of health care in Belize?
OJ’s answer: It is a major challenge for the country, and this is one area where the Belizeans living in the United States and abroad can be of great assistance to their country.
He gave an example by making reference to the assistance given to the cyclist Marlon Castillo to make it possible for him to go to the United States to obtain treatment for his injured hand.
During the focus group session, the sponsors were giving out food and refreshments to the audience. The session ended around 10:00 p.m., and the meeting was adjourned. Senator OJ Elrington promised to come back at another time to provide the Belizean community with more information about, and updates on, the People’s Constitutional Commission (PCC).
After the session ended a group of Belizean citizens committed themselves to reactivating one of their dormant Belizean organizations, to monitor all the issues related to the rights of Belizean citizens living in the United States and abroad, effective immediately and moving forward.
They will be issuing a press release as soon as their executive body is formed.
Prior to this event, the political activism of the Belizeans living in New York City was dormant, so this focus group has awakened them, and thanks to Senator OJ Elrington and the Friends of Saint Joseph Anglican Church for having this important event.