Local bands slam NDP Gov’t on USVI travel restriction
The matter came to the forefront this weekend when musicians who were slated to perform at the St Thomas Carnival on Sunday April 26, 2015 were reportedly suddenly told by the St Thomas Carnival Committee that they could no longer accommodate them since they were not able to get the usual US Visa waiver for their bands to travel to the island to perform.
The local musicians have been deeply upset by this development since they would have invested money into preparation for their various performances in the USVI for carnival weekend.
‘Tino’ held up by USVI immigration authorities
Popular singer and member of the Hard Core Band, Martino ‘Tino’ Marks, speaking on ZROD 103.7FM with Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart this morning April 27, 2015 said he was also invited to perform but after the cancellation he decided to travel on his own to St Thomas just to observe the carnival but was detained for more than an hour by USVI immigration and reportedly told that if he was to even do an interview on the island he would be “locked up”.
Tino spoke of being highly embarrassed by the incident and said he was told by immigration authorities that the issue needed to be straightened out by the two governments of the VI and USVI.
Bands affected included Showtime band, Hard Core band and Vibe band.
Mr Eustace 'Boss' Freeman, President of GRATE BVI Music Alliance and one of the lead singers of Showtime band, told Virgin Islands News Online that everything was set for Showtime band to travel until about two days before the event as border patrol was informed of who were slated to come, however, the St Thomas Carnival Committee subsequently informed them that no band from Tortola was being given visa exemptions.
“They basically informed us, don’t even come St Thomas at all,” Mr Freeman told Virgin Islands News Online.
No proper representation from Gov’t
Mr Freeman, who was also a guest on the Morning Ride Show this morning, noted that since last year Minister responsible for Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn had said he would address the issue at the VI/USVI Friendship Day meeting. Mr Freeman said he did hear that the Minister brought it up at the said meeting but informed that the process “would take a while to be rectified”.
“I honestly don’t think that we are getting proper representation on this at all. It is just being mentioned but it is not being prioritised as to say let us get this fixed because, according to border patrol in St Thomas, it is our leaders that need to get this situation fixed. They need to make contact from the Governor’s Office here to that in St Thomas to work out something," he said.
Raul ‘Juggo’ Sprauve when contacted confirmed that his band was also affected but said he didn’t wish to comment on the issue right now. “I don’t want to talk on that issue right now,” Mr Sprauve said.
Meanwhile, Mr Paul 'Gadiethz' Peart said it was a shame what the musicians have to bear up with regarding travelling to perform in St Thomas and that the issue needed to be speedily rectified since the livelihoods of local artistes were being affected. He also rhetorically asked what was the point of USVI/Friendship Day when an important matter that has to do with sharing of culture and music among the two territories can’t seem to be resolved.
Opposition weighs in on issue
Opposition members, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Senior Virgin Islands Party member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) also expressed their concerns on the issue with both agreeing that it was an issue that needed to be tackled at the highest level.
Hon Fraser was particularly critical of the NDP Government’s apparently poor handling of the issue.
“I can’t tell you that I am not aware on this matter since it was raised before me before by several band members who had expressed their regrets and disappointment about not being able to go to St Thomas to perform. I am not in a position where I sit to do the necessary things that are necessary to get this issue resolved.
“I haven’t seen any reports from Government indicating that enough efforts have been made to settle the matter one way or the other. We need to know what the problem is and whether or not a solution can be met.”
Hon Fraser said he would raise the issue in forums where it would get some more serious attention.
Senior Virgin Islands Party member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the matter was a national one that transcended politics and needed to be addressed accordingly. He also said the incident this weekend should not be seen in a negative light as it was about Homeland Security doing their jobs but it was now up to government to engage the USVI Government so that the necessary laws could be amended or put in place.
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59 Responses to “Local bands slam NDP Gov’t on USVI travel restriction”
Sorry for the semantic satiation.
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!!!!! the USVI should be a shame to be doing this cause the BVI people are very supportive to them. And since Hon. Fraser was down there well pose off he should also help his fellow men, all of them in government is not because he is not the foreman but he is still in government so stop this NDP and VIP nonsense I hate this thing, we are not kids dependent on the government for everything.
Another fact is because of the personal grudges of some, ruins things for others. Until this crab in a barrel mentality stops being perpetuated, WE as a people will get nowhere.
Ha ha last year they send M*r*n to st. Thomas and all he came back with was a photo with De Jounge…the NDP cannot represent us overseas it’s a fact…they must go and go fast …too much lil boys tying to do big men work…
Jougu is the only smart one saying he won't comment. How is it NDP fault that USVI has their own $%^&( rules about international bands?
For the BVI Government engage with the USVI Government and maybe some resolution will be achieved. Dumb @$$
You actually saying this . Tis ignorance and thinking that is the problem. Only in the BVI Tom Dick and Harry talking crap about we are one caribbean people and it is their right to be crapping on us.
These things need to be fix , Keeping quite like j*go sucking up to government officials will fix nothing . People usvi has used us for too long this is only on example of how we been played for years
If it was to fly to China to order items they would have gotten it done...NDP must go!!!
The international press is calling us a money laundering place and the most corrupt since Haiti
The international press is accusing us of being a drug haven also…
Our music bands can’t travel to the USVI to play
We were not invited to see Obama in Jamaica
The international, local and regional press writing that we are bad for press freedom
The UK papers betting up on us
So in conclusion we have failed abroad and have no respects once the NDP is in…How dear them say the NDP build our international reputation...we will not buy the LIES
Only Fraser can be respected locally, regionally and international…An office in Hong Kong just to say they did something after fighting against the NBI London House
home when hevgo over there if he can go they put he back
on the send he whers he come from
Why lie to the people about having talks about the situation and you know you are doing nothing. Be honest, don't lie!