<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Police-on-Santa-Cruz.jpg"><imgclass="alignleft size-medium wp-image-115330" title="Police on Santa Cruz" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Police-on-Santa-Cruz-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225"/></a>Tonight, impassioned debate continues to dominate over the incident in Santa Cruz, Toledo in which a Creole man, Rupert Myles, was ordered detained and handcuffed by the community alcalde. That incident sparked the arrest on Wednesday of ten Maya residents and Maya Leaders Alliance spokesperson, Cristina Coc. The villagers were charged with unlawful imprisonment and Coc with </strong><strong>conspiracy to commit unlawful imprisonment. But what is next? It’s a situation fraught with danger because Myles has been given until July fifth to take down a house he constructed on the Uxbenka Archeological Site. But will he? Tonight, we look back at the chronology of events in the south in which the racism card is playing out. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Isani Cayetano, Reporting</strong></p>
<p>The striking image of a quartet of Mayan men disrobing outside of the Punta Gorda Police Station is as poignant an impression as the parading of Rupert Myles through Santa Cruz a few days earlier. While they bared their chests to lend a few articles of clothing to their captive brethren, Myles had been manacled, his handcuffs fastened with a length of rope by which he was led to his residence. His home rests at the top of an unexcavated mound, a relic of the ancient city of Uxbenka. The ensuing controversy is two-sided. On one hand, villagers contend that Myles is nesting on sacred grounds protected by the Uchbenka K’in Ajaw Association. On the other, Myles argues that he is being racially discriminated against by the Mayan community, beginning with their leader.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115331" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-1-00022.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115331" title="Rupert Myles" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-1-00022-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rupert Myles</p></div>
<p><strong>Rupert Myles, Resident, Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“The next thing ih seh dat we right ya have fu we customary ways, if you look eena di village da lone Indian people. Ih seh and you da Garifuna and we noh wahn dat di mix up.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It’s a bold assertion coming from someone who is presently in a relationship with a female resident of that village. The allegation is vehemently denied by Manuel Pop, Alcalde of Santa Cruz.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Isani Cayetano</strong></p>
<p>“At any point in time was Mr. Myles racially discriminated against, in terms of either slurs or words that would have insulted him based on the color of his skin or his race?”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0006.jpg"><imgclass="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-115337" title="Santa Cruz Up0006" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0006-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>Manuel Pop, Alcalde, Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“No. We didn’t tell him that. No we noh tell him that. Well, we can’t say it like that because we are human beings. We can’t say that, but the only problem is [for him] not to live there.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Work is underway at Uxbenka where a backhoe is clearing and leveling earth for future parking. The site is being restored for use as an archaeological attraction, understandably why Myles has been asked to relocate from the area. Those requests are documented, as seen here.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Indeed, Myles’ defiance has resulted in arguably the most polemic issue in the Toledo District since the quest for oil inside the Sarstoon-Temash National Park.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002.jpg"><imgclass="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-115332" title="Santa Cruz Up0002" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>Rupert Myles</strong></p>
<p><em>“I had to show the country of Belize what kinda people and what Cristina Coc di do, right. So… How fi explain dis to you, when I gaan live eena da house deh I noh gaan live eena da house because I wahn go live da Santa Cruz or I wahn live tappa wahn hill, you undastand me. Ih cost wahn lotta fuel fi up and down just fi reach deh but I had to prove to this country weh kinda racism dis.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Depending on what side of the argument you choose to take, Myles may simply be playing the race card to his advantage. Nonetheless, his detention over the weekend comes with serious consequences. On Wednesday, dozens of residents lined Front Street to witness a perp walk led by MLA spokesperson Cristina Coc. In case you are wondering, Coc isn’t attempting to hide her face. She has been afflicted with the flu since the beginning of the week and was placed inside a cramped holding cell among several other detainees.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115334" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0003.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115334" title="Audrey Matura-Shepherd" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0003-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Audrey Matura-Shepherd</p></div>
<p>Following that march, her comrades were likewise trooped to the nearby courthouse unshod, where they would be arraigned for the unlawful arrest of Rupert Myles.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd, Attorney for Detained Villagers</strong></p>
<p><em>“You have any people with land papers?”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pablo Mis, Program Coordinator, MLA</strong></p>
<p><em>“We have some people with land papers. We have some people with job letters.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd</strong></p>
<p><em>“Okay then. Those with land papers da di ones we should use immediately. Who are those? Because if we have land papers then you only need one person fu sign because anytime bail da five thousand, more than five thousand then land paper. Do you have your land paper here?”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0001.jpg"><imgclass="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-115333" title="Santa Cruz Up0001" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0001-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>Alfonso Cal, Resident Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“No. It’s a businessperson that will sign…”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd</strong></p>
<p><em>“Call him. Whichever people have land paper because di lee paperwork wahn tek wahn while fu mek we be able fu do, process twenty signatories or ten bails.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002.jpg"><imgclass="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-115332" title="Santa Cruz Up0002" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>With that they proceeded to the courtroom of Magistrate Emerson Banner where charges, including common and aggravated assault, were read. Bail was initially set at eight thousand dollars but had to be adjusted at the request of attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd</strong></p>
<p><em>“He can give either the eight thousand dollars and split it into two sureties, which means that each person will be signing for four thousand dollars each or he can reduce the bail to five thousand dollars or less so that you can access bail without getting land paper. I must say that initially he indicated that his style was once he gives bail; that</em><em>’s it. But I am glad he heard our application and used his discretion.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Following the indictment, Coc’s husband, MLA Program Coordinator Pablo Mis, addressed the media.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115336" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0004.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115336" title="Pablo Mis" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0004-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Pablo Mis</p></div>
<p><strong>Pablo Mis</strong></p>
<p><em>“Unfortunately, it’s sad for Belize that this is what our government will entertain, that this is what it comes to. Our message again is, we’re not broken. For over five hundred years this has been done to us and today will not mark that day of breaking us.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>For the time being, a deadline has been set for the removal of the structure.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115335" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0005.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115335" title="Filberto Teul" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0005-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Filberto Teul</p></div>
<p><strong>Filberto Teul, Resident, Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“The alcalde gave him permission for two weeks, fifteen days then, to take out this building and I hope so. Fifteen days up from last Saturday and then I hope that this building should be removed, that’s what the alcalde [requests] and he signed that document.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>What happens on that expiration date remains to be seen. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.</p>
View the full article
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Isani Cayetano, Reporting</strong></p>
<p>The striking image of a quartet of Mayan men disrobing outside of the Punta Gorda Police Station is as poignant an impression as the parading of Rupert Myles through Santa Cruz a few days earlier. While they bared their chests to lend a few articles of clothing to their captive brethren, Myles had been manacled, his handcuffs fastened with a length of rope by which he was led to his residence. His home rests at the top of an unexcavated mound, a relic of the ancient city of Uxbenka. The ensuing controversy is two-sided. On one hand, villagers contend that Myles is nesting on sacred grounds protected by the Uchbenka K’in Ajaw Association. On the other, Myles argues that he is being racially discriminated against by the Mayan community, beginning with their leader.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115331" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-1-00022.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115331" title="Rupert Myles" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-1-00022-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rupert Myles</p></div>
<p><strong>Rupert Myles, Resident, Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“The next thing ih seh dat we right ya have fu we customary ways, if you look eena di village da lone Indian people. Ih seh and you da Garifuna and we noh wahn dat di mix up.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It’s a bold assertion coming from someone who is presently in a relationship with a female resident of that village. The allegation is vehemently denied by Manuel Pop, Alcalde of Santa Cruz.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Isani Cayetano</strong></p>
<p>“At any point in time was Mr. Myles racially discriminated against, in terms of either slurs or words that would have insulted him based on the color of his skin or his race?”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0006.jpg"><imgclass="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-115337" title="Santa Cruz Up0006" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0006-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>Manuel Pop, Alcalde, Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“No. We didn’t tell him that. No we noh tell him that. Well, we can’t say it like that because we are human beings. We can’t say that, but the only problem is [for him] not to live there.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Work is underway at Uxbenka where a backhoe is clearing and leveling earth for future parking. The site is being restored for use as an archaeological attraction, understandably why Myles has been asked to relocate from the area. Those requests are documented, as seen here.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Indeed, Myles’ defiance has resulted in arguably the most polemic issue in the Toledo District since the quest for oil inside the Sarstoon-Temash National Park.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002.jpg"><imgclass="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-115332" title="Santa Cruz Up0002" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>Rupert Myles</strong></p>
<p><em>“I had to show the country of Belize what kinda people and what Cristina Coc di do, right. So… How fi explain dis to you, when I gaan live eena da house deh I noh gaan live eena da house because I wahn go live da Santa Cruz or I wahn live tappa wahn hill, you undastand me. Ih cost wahn lotta fuel fi up and down just fi reach deh but I had to prove to this country weh kinda racism dis.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Depending on what side of the argument you choose to take, Myles may simply be playing the race card to his advantage. Nonetheless, his detention over the weekend comes with serious consequences. On Wednesday, dozens of residents lined Front Street to witness a perp walk led by MLA spokesperson Cristina Coc. In case you are wondering, Coc isn’t attempting to hide her face. She has been afflicted with the flu since the beginning of the week and was placed inside a cramped holding cell among several other detainees.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115334" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0003.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115334" title="Audrey Matura-Shepherd" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0003-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Audrey Matura-Shepherd</p></div>
<p>Following that march, her comrades were likewise trooped to the nearby courthouse unshod, where they would be arraigned for the unlawful arrest of Rupert Myles.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd, Attorney for Detained Villagers</strong></p>
<p><em>“You have any people with land papers?”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pablo Mis, Program Coordinator, MLA</strong></p>
<p><em>“We have some people with land papers. We have some people with job letters.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd</strong></p>
<p><em>“Okay then. Those with land papers da di ones we should use immediately. Who are those? Because if we have land papers then you only need one person fu sign because anytime bail da five thousand, more than five thousand then land paper. Do you have your land paper here?”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0001.jpg"><imgclass="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-115333" title="Santa Cruz Up0001" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0001-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>Alfonso Cal, Resident Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“No. It’s a businessperson that will sign…”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd</strong></p>
<p><em>“Call him. Whichever people have land paper because di lee paperwork wahn tek wahn while fu mek we be able fu do, process twenty signatories or ten bails.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002.jpg"><imgclass="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-115332" title="Santa Cruz Up0002" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0002-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a>With that they proceeded to the courtroom of Magistrate Emerson Banner where charges, including common and aggravated assault, were read. Bail was initially set at eight thousand dollars but had to be adjusted at the request of attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Audrey Matura-Shepherd</strong></p>
<p><em>“He can give either the eight thousand dollars and split it into two sureties, which means that each person will be signing for four thousand dollars each or he can reduce the bail to five thousand dollars or less so that you can access bail without getting land paper. I must say that initially he indicated that his style was once he gives bail; that</em><em>’s it. But I am glad he heard our application and used his discretion.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Following the indictment, Coc’s husband, MLA Program Coordinator Pablo Mis, addressed the media.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115336" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0004.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115336" title="Pablo Mis" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0004-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Pablo Mis</p></div>
<p><strong>Pablo Mis</strong></p>
<p><em>“Unfortunately, it’s sad for Belize that this is what our government will entertain, that this is what it comes to. Our message again is, we’re not broken. For over five hundred years this has been done to us and today will not mark that day of breaking us.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>For the time being, a deadline has been set for the removal of the structure.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_115335" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width:160px;"><a rel="nofollow" class="highslide" target="_blank" href="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0005.jpg"><imgclass="size-thumbnail wp-image-115335" title="Filberto Teul" src="http://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Santa-Cruz-Up0005-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Filberto Teul</p></div>
<p><strong>Filberto Teul, Resident, Santa Cruz Village</strong></p>
<p><em>“The alcalde gave him permission for two weeks, fifteen days then, to take out this building and I hope so. Fifteen days up from last Saturday and then I hope that this building should be removed, that’s what the alcalde [requests] and he signed that document.”</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>What happens on that expiration date remains to be seen. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.</p>
View the full article