Jamaicans demand slavery reparations as UK Royal visit shunned
A report from the Associated Press has detailed that dozens of well-known leaders in Jamaica, including professors and politicians, are demanding an apology and the payment of reparations as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prepare for a trip to the former British colony.
No reasons to celebrate ascension UK Queen's ascension to throne - Jamaicans
“We see no reason to celebrate 70 years of the ascension of your grandmother to the British throne because her leadership, and that of her predecessors, have perpetuated the greatest human rights tragedy in the history of humankind,” read a letter published Sunday ahead of the couple’s visit and signed by 100 Jamaican leaders.
The group is rejecting the visit that is part of a larger trip to the Caribbean region that coincides with the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence and the 70th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Over in Belize, local opposition forced the royal couple to cancel a visit to a cacao farm that was planned for Saturday, while the upcoming trip to Jamaica has angered some who say they are still waiting for an apology and slavery reparations.
Jamaica lawmaker Mike Henry, who has long led an effort to obtain reparations that he estimates at more than 7 billion pounds, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that an apology is only the first step for what he described as abuse of human life and labour, “An apology really admits that there is some guilt,” he said.
Outrage over statements from former Governor
In the [British] Virgin Islands, former embattled Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert had on September 7, 2020, sparked community outrage when he said that the United Kingdom's (UK) position on paying reparations to the Virgin Islands for acts of slavery and the slave trade was not something that was being considered, hinting that the VI should expect nothing.
He further shunned inquiries about statements he made on slavery and reparations, telling the local press that his position on the controversial comments has not changed.
Meanwhile, several social commentators and community members in the VI including Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Kenneth G. Gladstone, Kishmet B. Daniel and Elroy A. Turnbull had collectively described Mr Jaspert's comments as insulting, insensitive and derogatory.
Mr Gladstone in a September 11, 2020, interview with VINO said Jaspert’s statements were as a result of a racist mentality that is being perpetuated, even as Mr Jaspert was spending VI’s money and enjoying the hospitality of local taxpayers, a majority being the descendants of slaves.
Mr Jaspert is infamous for announcing a controversial Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Virgin Islands on Martin Luther King Jr Day, January 18, 2021.
20 Responses to “Jamaicans demand slavery reparations as UK Royal visit shunned”
They should be ashamed to come back to the places where the Crown have ill treated Black people, and expect, "business as usual" types of salutations!
Back to the Kingdom, ye Bloakes!
BACK TO THE KINGDOM!!
Let them go $%^& there self ...think these days are still dark where we can't see through there tricks and plan ...
I bet you use rubber gloves and oatmeal a lot.