Belize's first Independence Day: Prime Minister George Price accepts constitutional instruments for Belize from Prince Michael, Duke of Kent, on Independence Day for the world newest nation in Central America, September 21, 1981
Time Table of the Struggle for Belize's Independence
by Hector Silva
ALL BEGAN on THE NIGHT of DECEMBER 31st 1949 to bring in JANUARY 1st,1950. When British Honduras Governor, Ronald Garvey, at midnight of December 31st, 1949, announced the devaluation of the British Honduras Dollar from ONE to ONE British Honduras Dollar for ONE USA Dollar, to ONE dollar FORTY cents for one USA Dollar. - ( It lost 60 cents. ) ( This was a blow especially to the working class, whose salary was one dollar per day. (They now had only 70 cents. ) SO 5 YOUNG LEADERS met at GEORGE PRICE HOME AROUND MIDNIGHT and decided to vigorously protest.
On the 6th of January, 1950, A PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE called a Public Meeting at the Battle field, to issue a vigorous Protest. At that public meeting, George Price made a most powerful statement. ( which I have published several times. ) "Patriots we are. Loyal Citizens of this country. WE RISE UP to defend our God given rights, against ECONOMIC SLAVERY, HUMAN MISERY, and BODILY STARVATION." etc.
FROM HERE ONWARD, THE PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE BEGAN A WELL ORGANIZED PREPARATION TO ESTABLISH A POLITICAL PARTY. The Symbols were the immediate task.- So, Chorographers among the members, like Nacho Valdez and others were put to task to design a Flag which George Price assembled at the description, which a 94 years old man, Mr Bennet gave him. ACCORDING TO Mr Bennet, he related what his grand father told him, that behind the Supreme Court a Baymen Flag flew with an emblem, which had two men, a tree, a sailing boat and paddles. - SO, Nacho went to the archives and found that flag. A Flag was designed and approved by the Committee and Mrs Jane Usher sowed it. -This flag was presented at various Public Meetings all over the country, for the people's acceptance. - ( I remember that on the night of the presentation, " GOD BLESS AMERICA," was sang, ending with the Mexican Revolutionary March " SACATECAS. "
THEN, ON THE 29th of September, 1950, the Convention was called to establish the People's United Party. The venue was to be at BATTLE FIELD, in front of the Supreme Court,- BUT at the last moment, the Colonial Controlled Town Council denied a Permit to hold the convention under the excuse that there was a programme of works underway.- BUT George Price knew the Kittle brothers Sam and Eric, who owned the spacious THISTLE HALL CLUB on the corner of Queen's Street and New Road. PERMIT WAS GRANTED,- CONVENTION HELD, - THE PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY WAS BORN. ( John Smith was elcted the First Leader of the PUP, Leigh Richardson the Deputy Leader, George Price the Secretary, Phillip Goldson Deputy Secretary and Miss Tharine Rudon, Treasurer/Recording Secretary. - ( 0n the 3rd of October I registered as a Junior Member along with Tony Meighan, Joe Eralez, Jose Cleland, Nico Olivera and other young men.
THE CHRONOLOGY TOWARDS BEIZE'S INDEPENDENCE.
THE STRUGGLE by means of a Peaceful and Constructive Belizeans Revolution was ready to go.
Having established the BLUE MACHINE THAT WOULD CARRY US TO AN INDEPENDENT BELIZE, the struggle began. - It was no easy task to derail a Colonial Regime that was well anchord for over ONE HUNDRED YEARS and a PUBLIC SERVICE that had been indoctrinated, " THAT THEY WERE BORN UNDER THE BRITISH FLAG AND WOULD DIE UNDER THAT FLAG.
THE PUP SECRETARIAT began a vigorous campaign to educate the masses of people through MASS POLITICAL PUBLIC MEETINGS. Included in this education was the distribution of Pamphlets, explaining the AIMS and OBJECTIVES of the Movement. ( This was the job of us Junior members, )
The Party moved quickly to establish POLITICAL CELLS throughout the country sides. - District Committees, Women's and Men's Marshalls. And of course our BIG BROTHER the TRADE UNIONS gave that powerful arm. And here I include such great men Like Nick Pollard, Tony Soberanis, Mr Middleton, Lucas Marin, Miguel Rosado and Albert Vaughan, the Water Front Workers led by such loyalists like Reggie Faber and other greats.
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COLONIAL REGIME CAME ABOUT, when the PUP won a majority of councilors in the first contested TOWN BOARD Elections.- An opposition Councilor presented a MOTION, that the COUNCIL display a Portrait of King George at City Hall. - - Councilor George Price stood up and said,- " Not until some of our people's problems are are solved can we agree." - He got majority support and the Motion was defeated. - - When the report reached the Colonial Governor, - HE USED HIS CLASS SIX POWERS AND DISSOLVED THE BELIZE TOWN COUNCIL.
This gave FODDER to the fire and the PUP began to increase political pressure, by holding massive Demonstrations, Protests and Letters of protests to DOWNING STREET, London.
In Late 1952, the first Leader, Mr John Smith, resigned from the PUP for personal reasons. He went to live in New Orleans until he passed AWAY a couple years ago. - My pleasure was, when Johny Smith met his old comrade George Price before both passed Away.
SO, The PUP elected Mr Leigh Richardson, as the Second Party Leader in 1952. The PUP began to agitate for ADULT SUFFRAGE, ( Where all Belizean Citizen 21 years and up could register to vote. Having achieved this great Victory, - The PUP Contested its first National Election, wining 8 of the 9 National Constituencies. ( loosing Toledo. )
THE GOVERNOR INSTITUTED the Quasi System of Governance also known as the MEMBERSHIP system. The PUP nominated Richardson, Goldson and Herman Jex to this Membership System.
HERE IS WHERE TROUBLE BEGAN. The British Government began a scheme by name WEST INDIAN FEDERATION whereby Guiana and Belize would absorb some of the over population of the Caribbean Islands. When the PUP office questioned about an ECONOMIC PLAN, there was known. - SO THE PUP MOUNTED A MASSIVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THIS INJUSTICE, which would create CHEAP LABOR for the big companies.
UNFORTUNATELY LEIGH RICHARDSON and PHILLIP GOLDSON WERE IN FAVOR. - This opened a can of worms.
The PUP held a National Convention to deal with this SERIOUS National Issue. The Convention was held at the Old Riverside Hall. - - This matter was put conventioneers, Richardson and Goldson were interrogated but stood steady in favor of Federation.
THEY WERE EXPELLED. and Shubu Brown a member of the PUP BLACKS, took the job of removing the gentlemen from the Convention. - - ( In a scuffle between Richardson and Shubu, on the steps, they rolled down and Shubu got a broken arm.
AT THIS CONVENTION IN 1956, GEORGE PRICE WAS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED THE NEW LEADER OF THE PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY, and MR ALBERT CATTOUSE THE DEPUTY LEADER.
THE WEST INDIES FEDERATION WAS GIVEN A BLOW.- The proponents for Federation in Belize were destroyed politically. ( So what next ? ) - "Destroy George Price."
THE WEST INDIES FEDERATION WAS GIVEN A BLOW.
PUP TIME LINE. The Colonial Office with the assistance of COLONIALIST politicians in Belize, declared massive attacks against the Leader of the People's United Party. - THIS WAS IN RETALIATION for the expulsion of the Pro Federation PUP Leaders.
The first salvo was, to attempt to humiliate George Price at the London Talks in 1957. They used all flimsy attacks that George Price was selling Belize to Guatemala " Lack Stock and Barrel. "
This is when 2 PUP Representatives Dengigh Jefferies and Enrique Depaz left the PUP, ( This was when Sandy Hunter and Hector Silva jumped into the PUP side of the fight, and took over the Fort George and the Cayo Constituencies.
The British Colonial Office in London break the proposed Conference and sent back the Belizean Delegation home. The Governor was to come in plane and the Belizean Delegates by boat 7 days later.
BUT our Belizean HEROINE IN LONDON, Nadia Cattouse ( the daughter of PUP delegate Albert Cattouse) bought to Plane Tickets for her Dad Albert Cattouse and George Price.
SO when Governor Colin Thornley thought that he had arrived ahead of the PUP delegates, he was badly mistaken.
THE JOKE WAS, when Colin Thornley saw the MASSIVE CROUD at the Air Port, he asked his Aid De Camp to find out what was this. -The Aid said, " THEY ARE HERE TO RECEIVE GEORGE PRICE and CATTOUSE who are in this plane. "
WELL WAR BROKE LOOSE. - We had made arrangements to receive the PUP Delegates and march them to the Political Rostrum, where a sea of people were gathered to hear PUP Leader George Price.
The Governor went on BHBS and and repeated what everyone already knew. LOCK STOCK AND BARREL. and some Guatemalan Sell Out.
WHILE AT THE MAJESTIC YARD, before thousands upon thousands, Hon. George Price revealed what they were told by the Guatemalan Ambasador, Licenciado Jorge Garcia Granados, " that Guatemala had made a proposal to the British Government incorporate Belize into Central America, by making BELIZE AN ASSOCIATE STATE OF Guatemala.
George Price told Granados, that Belize would never accept such a plan. Denbigh Jeffery went direct to Governor Thornley and told him what had transpired. ( THE BRITISH WERE CAUGHT IN THEIR NEFARIOUS PLAN, So they blew up in anger and CLOSED DOWN THE CONFERENCE with these words.- " WE HAVE FOUND THE BELIZE DELEGATION, LACKING IN FAITH AND CANDOUR. So this talks are cancelled . of Belize
BUT this Chapter was not over,
The following day George Price asked permission to address the nation via B.H.B.S. ( The only Radio in Belize. ) - It was denied.
A couple days later, Governor Thornley expelled Hon George Price from his Executive Council and placed instead, the Hon Enrique Depaz.
Then followed the accusation that Hon George Price was disrespectful to her Britanic Majesty, by using some TOILET PAPER JESTURES.
This was followed, when George Price was arrested from inside the Holy Redeemer Cathedral on a of SEDITION against Queen Elizabeth.
THEN FOLLOWED THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY, when George Price was tried for SEDITIOUS INTENT, to bring Her Majesty the Queen into disrepute. Sir Harrison Courtney took up the case, in defense of George Price.
ON THE FINAL NIGHT OF THIS TRIAL, figureatively speaking, the whole of Belize was out there at Battle Field and surrounding areas.
Then SILENCE took over, - When I tell you DEFEANING SILENCE. The Registrar General announced.
" THE GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY HAVE FOUND BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE THAT THE ACCUSED, GEORGE CADLE PRICE, IS NOT GUILTY OF THE CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST HIM. "
It was said " THE ROAR FROM THE PEOPLE WAS STRONGER than that of a bunch of Harriers.
AS EXPECTED THE PUP AGAIN LOST A FEW OF ITS LEADERS. - Hon Denbigh Jeffery, Hon Enrique Depaz and Powerful Union Leader Nick Pollard and others.
THEN INSTEAD THE PUP GAINED NEW LEADERS like Lindy Rogers, Jim Meighan, Madame Lizarraga, Louis Sylvester, Sandi Hunter, San Ricalde, Victor Orellana, Guadalupe Pech, Sam Vernon, Faustino Zuniga, David Mckoy, Allan Arthurs, Fred Hunter, San Perdomo, Loyd Coffin, and thousands more.
During the trial of George Price Vs The Queen, the Colonialists in Belize, MOUNTED MASSIVE PRESSURES on some of our District Representatives.
EXAMPLES. - The PUP Executive Committee of Corozal North was infiltrated, to put heavy pressure on my dear Friend, Hon Santiago.
Ricalde.- Let it be known, that in 1957, the Honorable Ricalde was elected as a member of CUP, ( Corozal United Party. )
SO The PUP in Corozal informed PUP Office in Belize City that the Honorable Ricalde had disassociated himself from the PUP.- George Price asked for an urgent public meeting in Corozal Town. - We first went to the Honorable's home. - He was suffering from a Bad Tooth Ache. BUT after DISCUSSIONS he agreed to become a FULL Member of the PUP..
A WEEK LATER, General Ted Noralez, from Stann Creek informed Mr Price that Hon. Mckoy was under heavy pressure by the UNION, to resign from the PUP. - Immediately, Tony Meighan got in touch with our reliable TAXI, Vicente Esquivel and we left for Stann Creek.-In Town we were welcomed by the PUP Executive. - Mr Price spoke to Hon David and things were settled.
LATER on My Dad sent me a message that he received a letter from a District Commissioner, that if I continued militating with George Price that he ( My Dad a born Mexican, ) would be expelled. - - My Dad send them to hell, saying, " My son has my full support to fight for his country, " - ( He did finance me for a long period. )
THEN came the resignation of the Honorable Enrique Depaz, from the PUP. - I was called into Mr Price Office at the Turton's Building where Mr Price was joined by Elders, Eddie Austin, Tony Soberanis, Alfred Bevans, Compadre Murillo, Lucas Marin, and Joe Rivero. SITTING with them was the Honorable Enrique Depaz, - Now the MEMBER for NATURAL RESOURCES,- ( replacing recently expelled George Price, )
I was invited to take a seat, Then George Price showed me a letter of resignation from the PUP, by Honorable Enrique Depaz.
Mr Price asked me, what I think of it. - My reply was to ask my old friend Enrique (Kike) WHY ? - - His reply was for personal reasons. THEN Mr Price asked me. " WOULD YOU TAKE OVER CAYO FOR THE PUP ? " I answered I will tell you in two days, when I return. "
My good friend Enrique laughed and uttered " He is just a Foot Baller. "
I consulted with my beloved Wife and my Dad. - They both agreed that I join the Party and take the challenge. - SO I DID AND WON OVER THE CAYO DISTRICT FOR 25 Years and counting.
THERE WERE MANY SUCH THREATS MADE TO WEAKEN MR PRICE.
( I relate these anecdotes to inform young politicians that the REAL PUP Struggle was not a BED OF ROSES, as they have been told. AND I ASK, " DO I HAVE TO DO MORE TO BECOME A GOOD PUP ? ( But wait for the Chapters that will follow. ) I remind you all this is just a condensed summary of what a book would look like. - AND THESE ARE SUPPORTED WITH FACTS.
George Price said, " As Jesus told Apostle PAUL ) " THE MORE YOU PROSECUTE US, THE MORE NUMEROUS WE BECOME. "
During that period when the PUP was under attack, we received many International Proposals to deal with this pressure. - Many were Diplomatic, some were more of a conciliatory in nature and some were VERY DRASTIC.
I cannot forget the presence of a Guyanese Leader, by name Nareen Singh, who came from Guyana, just after he participated in Anti Colonial bloody Riots in London.
We were campaigning in some villages in the Cayo South Constituency with San Perdomo, Cristo, San Antonio, Augustine and San Luis Saw Mill. It got too late to travel back to San Ignacio, so my brother in Law Luis Habet suggested, we stay the night there, in their two Rest Houses.
A little after three in the morning, some one knocked at San and myself rest house, - We opened and there was Dolfo Lizarraga, Madame Lizarraga and Ms Jane Rabatue a strong PUP Lady.
Dolfo said . "we brought a Guyanese Revolutionary who wants to see Mr Price. - So we told Dolfo and Madame Liz " But at this hour ? " - "YES they answered, because he came from London, and he is on his way to Guyana to see Cheddi Jagan. - He has to catch BWIA Airplane to Jamaica today. "
WELL AT THE INSSISTANCE OF Madame Lizarraga, I went to wake up Mr Price in his Rest House. When I told him about the visitor he answered in his usual way. " Dem bloody people are wondering about."
THE THING IS, THAT GEORGE PRICE CAME OUT AND said. " What are you doing so early in the morning. " Norine Singh answered, I come to join you in your Revolution and your Defense against these SLAVE MASTERS, " - The conversation turned out well, when George Price asked him to go to all the Caribbean Leaders and tell them about our " Peaceful and Constructive Belizean Revolution. "
Norene answered, " George with the British, there is no Peaceful Revolution.- Look what they have done to African Leaders ? - Let me tell you George, whenever you are willing we have an anti Colonial Brigade ready to Mobilize people, and they deptared.
But before they left, he called Dolfo aside and told him, " Next time don't do this, Suppose he was a bandit or a SPY."
THE PUP GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE.
Following the massive attacks by the Colonial Regime, to destroy the PUP Movement for Belize's Independence, they sent a High Caliber Minister by name John Profumo to try to out the fire they started. His first move was, to invite all the Political Parties to meet with him at Government House. - When the PUP asked what was the purpose ? - - The answer was that British Government saw it necessary to amalgamate all Political Parties in Belize as a UNITED FRONT to repel the Guatemala Claim.
After consulting with the OLD WISEMEN in the party, the PUP Secretariat replied, that the PUP was strong enough to reject Guatemala's Claim. BUT if he Profumo wanted to meet the PUP alone, then we were prepared. THE OFFER WAS ACCEPTED. - A PUP delegation made up of Hon. Louis Sylvester, Hector Silva, Tony Meighan and Norman Lainfiesta met Minister John Profumo and at Government House.
Minister Profumo tried his best to explain their motive for such an amalgamation. - We cordially rejected the offer. - And we further confirmed the PUP Policy, to lead Belize as an Independent Nation, " WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH " ( We shook hands and departed )
The following Day the Governor informed Party Leader George Price, that the smaller Parties accepted to form themselves as the NIP.- (Combination of National Party, HIP, Honduran Independent Party and DLP, Democratic Labor Party )
In 1958, after all the attacks against the PUP and the creation of the NIP, the Colonial Governor called snap MUNICIPAL Elections to test the National Political Field. Elections were called at a most inconvenient time of the year, December 27th 1958. The Municipalities were Belize City, Punta Gorda, Monkey River, Stann Creek Town, Benque Viejo del Carmen, The Twin Towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Orange Walk Town and Corozal Town.
PEOPLES UNITED PARTY WON all the MUNICIPALITIES.
THEN IN 1961, the Colonial Governor called for General Elections (NOW 18 COSTITUENCIES.) The elections were held on March 2 1961.-Three Political Parties contested. People's United Party, The National Independence, and the Democratic and Labor Party.
The PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY won all 18 Constituences.
What next for the Colonial Office > INVITE THE PUP for Constitutional Talks for an advanced CONSTITUTION for Belize. -
In 1963, First Minister George Price led a delegation to London to discuss the Constitution best suited at this moment when Hurricane Hattie devastated Belize.
NOW PAY ATTENTION.- The British Government at that Conference proposed, "FULL INDEPENDENCE WITH AN APROPRIATE DEFENSE GUARANTEE.
First Minister George Price replied, "NOT NOW we have to consult our people first. "
SO WE WERE GRANTED FULL INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT AND THE TASK BEGAN, OF BUILDING THE NATION and PREPARING OUR PEOPLE TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATION.
THE BEGINING OF NATION BUILDING.
This was the period, when plans were being made on the way forward to build the New Nation of Belize.
Although we were not yet fully in charge of Government, the Colonial attitude was beginning to soften. - A new Governor, Sir Peter Stallard was appointed. He began to release the Colonial Grip, and consulted more frequently with the Honorable George Price.
BUT SEVEN MONTHS into this Period, Hurricane Hattie devastated Belize and left total destruction everywhere, Belize City and Dangriga and other Coastal Communities were almost totally destroyed. - THEREFORE emergency plans had to be quickly established.- RECONDEV was created to rebuild what was destroyed, and DFC, to finance the economy which was left in shambles. ( This is a story by itself )
SO because of the major disaster, the priority was to shelter and feed the thousands that were left home less. ( Silk Grass, HattieVille, George Town and other communities were built. )- Roads had to be cleared of Debris and bridges had to be reconstructed. - Farmers had to be given subsidies and Government Buildings and schools had to be repaired. The light Houses had to be repaired and Sea Lanes cleared for Navigation.
Then Government began to assist in the remaining Industries, and look for substitutes for the dying Mahogany and Chicle industries which were destroyed.
Because of the situation in Belize City, Government began to follow the petition which the Belize City had sent in July of 1960.
THE BUILDING OF THE NEW CAPITAL OF BELIZE.
This story has been distorted over and over, and little has been done by successive Governments to correct all these fallacies. Let me put it in its right prospective.
HURRICANE HATTIE WAS NOT THE REAL REASON FOR BUILDING A NEW CITY.
For many years, discussions were held concerning the future of Belize City and its surroundings. Suggestions were many, from the construction of WALL or LEVIE, as that of New Orleans, to removing Government Offices to Higher Grounds.
On July 1st, 1960, the Belize City Council approved a Motion asking Central Government to consider the removal of the Seat of Government to Higher grounds. Government took it serious and began the studies for such a venture. - Suggestions were invited for a SITE.
Such names like Mullins River, Burrel Boom, Mountain Pine Ridge, Mile 31 Western Highway and the Juncture of the humming bird highway and the western highway which was almost in the center of the country.
After much deliberation on the area, it was put to the Test.-Yours truly, as the Minister of Public Works, Public Utilities and Communication was given the Task to go into site and see what was in there, as there were no drones in those days.
SO, accompanied by a team of Engineers, Surveyors and my Permanent Secretary Boisy Smith, we entered through an old logging road, which took us past where the Belmopan Hospital is now and we met a Mound, where the House of Representatives is now located. Notes were taken ad it was agreed to clear the land. I took the report to Cabinet for approval.
Having got the approval y Ministry contacted Mr Tony Espat who had a massive clearance unit named NATION BUILDER and we contracted him to do the Job of clearing the area.
SO, when the vegetation was cleared at the NEW SITE, the surveyors began their task. - This was followed with ZONING OF THE PROPOSED CITY; - the opening of ACCESS ROADS, which eventually would be STREETS.
In the ZONING, consideration was taken on the topography of the area High Land from Low Land.
I would like to point out that there is an area known as the MOUNT PLEASANT FLATS, which should not be touched, as this is a natural WATER CATCHMENT for the area - And the Cemetery should have been built to the WEST.
When the MAPPING was done, my Ministry began with Drainage opening, Street Dressing, Electricity, Water Supply and Telephone.
At the same time Public Works Department, undertook the supervision in the construction of the first 78 Houses to accommodate the labor force.
ALL THIS, IN PREPARTION FOR THE "BRITISH PAULING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY" which was contracted to do the entire infrastructure.
Let me be clear. The Layout of the City was carried to allow sufficient BREATHING SPACE. ( Green spaces, Parks, Sporting Grounds and Wide Avenues and Walk Ways and Boulevards.
Finally an AIRSTRIP was built, with provisions to convert it to a major AIRPORT in an emergency.
LET IT BE KNOWN, that Prime Minister George Price in consultation with Governor Neil Postnett decided to name the Airstrip " THE HECTOR SILVA AIRSTRIP." ( I was later told by Mr Price that they took two points in consideration. - (1) That I participated from the first phase of the construction, (2) To the suggestion of the SITE. - ( See Belize Times of July 1st 1960, " One of the bids on the site for New Capital City.