On Monday November 28, the Virgin Islands observed a public holiday in commemoration of the 1949 Great March and Restoration Day.
The Great March of 1949, is known most commonly for leading to the restoration of the Legislative Council in 1950, an event cheered as a significant milestone in VI history by Premier Dr The Honourable Natalio Wheatley.
“This march was incredibly significant to us as a Virgin Islands people because it was an overwhelming pronouncement of the people’s desire for democracy, for the right to have a voice in their society, to play a leading role in their governance, to become a more autonomous and self-determined people. 1500 people marched on the 24th of November 1949 at a time when the population was under 7000 persons. This means between 20 and 25 percent of the population marched at a time when we had no social media, no ferries, none of the modern conveniences that we have today”, he said.
The premier noted that the actions of those who marched that day turned the tide for the Virgin Islands, ultimately setting things in motion for a greater level of democracy in the territory by way of allowing people to vote and select representatives who worked on their behalf.
Dr. Wheatley also cheered the Legislative Council for its contributions to the development of the economy, tourism and financial services industry; improvement of health care, education and labour practices; and much more – dubbing them the “architects of the Virgin Islands we have today”.
“We have highly educated people; we have low crime; we are polite and hospitable; we are hardworking and innovative; we are entrepreneurial with a high degree of land and home ownership. No we are not perfect. Yes we have our faults, but we have done a good job of building our society, which attracts people from all over the world. We can be proud of what we have achieved”, Wheatley noted.
Noting the success of the incumbent administration in warding off the threat of direct rule from the UK following the release of the COI report, Wheatley said that the actions of the Unity Government were another show of the firm belief that democracy is the key to improving systems of governance.
“Let us not take our democracy for granted. Theodolph Faulkner, Isaac Fonseca, Carlton deCastro and the 1500 worked too hard to claim it. We must not allow our House of Assembly to be taken away. Hope Stevens and the Civic League worked too hard. We must not allow our Cabinet to be taken away. Those who ushered in ministerial government toiled too hard. We must raise up a new generation of leaders who will reform and strengthen our institutions and lead us to our ultimate destination on the road to self-determination”, he said.
A special documentary entitled “March on Virgin Islanders, March On” was released in honour of the historical March on Monday.
It featured some significant highlights including the 1789 Josiah’s Bay Riot, the 1811 Testimony of Pereen Georges, another important Josiah’s Bay Riot of 1823, the 1853 Cattle Tax Riot – a rebellion against a heavy-handed government taxation, and the 1890 Long Look uprising with ringleader Christopher Flemming.
The documentary was made through a collaboration between the Government of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Communal Association and HLSCC Virgin Islands Studies Institute.