BELIZEAN HISTORY AS TOLD TO MR HECTOR SILVA OF BELIZE BY HIS FATHER IN LAW
The SAD story began in 1919, when the Belize Contingent of brave men returned from World War I.- They were BATTLE WEARY but
filled with promises of thankful rewards for their bravery in rendering their services for the FREEDOM OF THE WORLD.
filled with promises of thankful rewards for their bravery in rendering their services for the FREEDOM OF THE WORLD.
These hundreds of young Belizean soldiers ,left in 1914 and were taken to the Battle Grounds in MESOPOTAMIA. ( today's IRAC ).
ONCE BACK HOME IN BELIZE. all promises and hopes melted with the sun.
They were offered pieces of the swamps around Belize, City, which they could not reclaim.
They were given day work jobs, breaking stones to build the Maskall Road.( 25cebts a day )
They were offered pieces of the swamps around Belize, City, which they could not reclaim.
They were given day work jobs, breaking stones to build the Maskall Road.( 25cebts a day )
THIS RESULTED IN ONE OF BELIZE'S BIGGEST RIOTS against the Colonial Administration. - - England sent a War Ship with British soldiers to quell the unarmed men. - - - ( Were these men armed, , it would have been a different story )
THE RESULT OF THIS TREATMENT WAS THE COMPOSITION, BY HERO, SAMUEL HAYNES of Land of the Free, ( now our Anthem )
This was the beginning of that AWAKENING CALL by Belizeans..
THE RESULT OF THIS TREATMENT WAS THE COMPOSITION, BY HERO, SAMUEL HAYNES of Land of the Free, ( now our Anthem )
This was the beginning of that AWAKENING CALL by Belizeans..
THE SECOND CALL FOR JUSTICE.
During those early days, men served as Tools of Production. They served almost as BEASTS OF BURDEN. -( they worked under that YOKE almost equal to SLAVERY. )
Slaves were given Food and Shelter and medication, but the NEW SLAVES had to provide every need for themselves,( As a young boy at my fathers Farm , i saw the conditions under which Chicleros and Mahogany workers were hired, to go to the jungle for six months and not being able to return home to see their families. - - THE EVIL WHISTLE BLOWERS ( Chismosos - Lambiscones would notify the Police, who would come and arrest them. - YES THIS IS THE LIVING TRUTH.
During those early days, men served as Tools of Production. They served almost as BEASTS OF BURDEN. -( they worked under that YOKE almost equal to SLAVERY. )
Slaves were given Food and Shelter and medication, but the NEW SLAVES had to provide every need for themselves,( As a young boy at my fathers Farm , i saw the conditions under which Chicleros and Mahogany workers were hired, to go to the jungle for six months and not being able to return home to see their families. - - THE EVIL WHISTLE BLOWERS ( Chismosos - Lambiscones would notify the Police, who would come and arrest them. - YES THIS IS THE LIVING TRUTH.
IN VIEW OF ALL THESE INJUSTICES AND MORE,
In 1934, Belizean Hero, Antonio Soberanis Gomez rose up in anger to defend these poor workers.
In early 1934. Govern John Burdon ( in whose name the Burden Canal was named ) --REFUSED to approve Labor :Laws to protect the workers against ABUSE.
SO, Tony Soberanis, assisted by other brave ,decided to organize the WORKERS of Belize.
ON OCTOBER 1st, 1934, Tony Soberanis organized a PROTEST PICKET against tjhe Belize Estate Saw Mill, asking for more pay. The PICKET turned out into a RIOT,- A workers was shot in the neck.
When Soberanis went to post Bail for rioters arrested, he himself was arrested and refused for ONE MONTH.
In 1934, Belizean Hero, Antonio Soberanis Gomez rose up in anger to defend these poor workers.
In early 1934. Govern John Burdon ( in whose name the Burden Canal was named ) --REFUSED to approve Labor :Laws to protect the workers against ABUSE.
SO, Tony Soberanis, assisted by other brave ,decided to organize the WORKERS of Belize.
ON OCTOBER 1st, 1934, Tony Soberanis organized a PROTEST PICKET against tjhe Belize Estate Saw Mill, asking for more pay. The PICKET turned out into a RIOT,- A workers was shot in the neck.
When Soberanis went to post Bail for rioters arrested, he himself was arrested and refused for ONE MONTH.
THIS OPENED THE DOORS FOR THE FORMATION OF THE MOVEMENT FOR BELIZE'S INDEPENDENCE, in 1950.
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