New Gov't 'doesn't mean direct rule off the table'- Via C. Donovan-Hodge
This was one of the messages conveyed when another public demonstration against direct rule from London was held yesterday, May 11, 2022.
“I feel like we as a public are under the impression that since our government has made the choice to make this unity government our problems have been fixed and I do think it’s due to a lack of just general education and information around the subject,” young activist Via C. Donovan-Hodge stated.
She said the recommendation of direct rule is not yet off the table, which is why the demonstration is continuing.
“We are still here saying that we do not want direct UK rule. We cannot forget that just because it’s been a week, just because it’s been two weeks, if we don’t get a decision in the next two weeks past that doesn’t mean that it is off the table all of a sudden, so we need to remember not to become lazy and not to become tired in this cause,” Donovan-Hodge stated.
The Government and the Opposition recently formed a coalition government to display the position of the Virgin Islands regarding the possibility of direct rule, as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report.
This may have contributed to the small turnout and the absence of elected representatives at yesterday's second public demonstration.
Yes to UK help; No to direct rule!
The few persons displayed placards expressing clearly they were in favour of UK help to fix some of the issues facing the territory but were not willing to entertain direct rule.
A number of persons addressed the peaceful gathering, including Roxane Tasha Dewindt-Toussaint, Julio S. Henry aka 'Sam', Shaina M. Smith-Archer, Amberly Crabbe, Bevin S. George and Jovan C. Wilson, who recited a poem.
Organisers of the demonstration encouraged those there and the many persons viewing online to educate themselves on the issues.
They also announced the launch of a social media platform, We The People BVI, where they said continuous communication and informing of the masses will continue.
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18 Responses to “New Gov't 'doesn't mean direct rule off the table'- Via C. Donovan-Hodge”
Life is not black & white. I agree the protestors should be embarrassed & many locals did not participate due to the said corruption but also due to our history we are owed and owe it to ourselves to not step back into the past. Reading this article brought tears to my eyes. Dont turn away from it read it.
Similar to the corruption we can not move forward by sweeping history under the rug. Whatever happens needs to be in the best interest of Virgin Islanders & its future generations not the UK or the international community.
Look at those chains. Chains made for adults & children. Recognize that the highest aspiration considering this traumatic history rightly should be for eventual independence, a final end to the dehumanizing legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
The COI has overarching recommendations, good ones.
However when the Daines, the Dutch & the British brought slaves to these islands that created a OVERARCHING SITUATION that has yet to be rectified. The COI recommends suspending the constitution for 2 years. BUT
The British have taken an official stance to NEVER apologize for slavery, while in the same breath condemning the horror of slavery.
Willfulness, Ignorance, Slip of the tongue, or a complete twisting of the tongue? Its as if their mocking us. That gives me pause & raises serious concerns about their integrity, especially considering Andrew Fahie's recent alleged duplicity & his mocking god.
Probability says he is not the only man with a split tongue & a devious mind. Former slave owners who sit on vast sums of blood money & dont wont to apologize? woah that's not a good look.
Its shady to the point that it can be compared with the coco fiasco.
We need balance. A end to corruption but who ever takes the helm should be genuine.