The House of Assembly met Tuesday for a special sitting that kicked off a series of events celebrating 75 years since the restoration of the territory’s elected legislature in 1950.
“This is more than an anniversary for us,” Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn said during the approximately four-hour sitting.
“It’s a celebration of identity, of who we are, where we have come from, and what we must still become.” The mood of celebration and reflection continued as members recognised the historic achievement resulting from the Great March of 1949.
As part of that protest — which was organised by Theodolph Faulkner, Isaac Fonseca and Carlton de Castro — a reported 1,500 people marched to the Main Street office of colonial commissioner J.A.C. “Ian” Cruikshank to demand political freedom and call for a constitution representative of the voice of the people.
The following year, a committee was assembled to write that constitution, which established an elected Legislative Council modeled on the British ministerial system of government.
“Up until that time in the Virgin Islands, there was nothing called democracy,” Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said when kicking off the debate on Tuesday. “There were various forms of local government, but none provided all people with representation and a voice. Nineteen-fifty gave us a greater sense of democracy.”
However, he cautioned that the VI still has a long way to go — especially given the United Kingdom’s power to disband the elected legislature “just by signing a paper.” “We do not have democracy in the Virgin Islands: That is unfinished business,” he said. “But we have a greater sense of democracy than we had before.”
More progress, he added, should be made through the coming constitutional negotiations with the UK.
Former members
As part of efforts to recognise past achievements, opposition member Stacy Mather recognised former HOA members in attendance, who included Dr. Orlando Smith, Shereen FlaxCharles, Archie Christian and Keith Flax.
Mr. Contreras reported this story from New York.