Close to 5000 take to streets in Decision March 2018
The demonstration was held on the heels of the United Kingdom (UK) House of Commons and House of Lords supporting an amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill demanding that only Overseas Territories located in the Caribbean operate registers of beneficial ownership.
This move could essentially kill the Virgin Islands financial services sector, which accounts for 60 cents of every dollar in the VI economy.
The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill has since received the Royal Assent and became an Act on May 23, 2018.
The Virgin Islands has said it will only comply when the standard becomes a global one.
BVI Strong; This decision is wrong!
The march to demonstrate to the 'Mother Country' that the Virgin Islands was rejecting the attempt of constitutional overreach and to make a statement that the Virgin Islands was ready to review its relationship with the UK over the attempt to kill its main economic pillar, began at the Sunday Morning Well and proceeded through Road Town to the Governor's Office.
Many persons, including non-Virgin Islanders and persons from the Financial Services Sector, joined the historic march, chanting 'No, no, no, this decision must go' and BVI Strong, this decision is wrong'.
The sentiments of the people against the Uk were also expressed on the many placards. Some of the placards read: 'I want to rule my destiny', 'When this standard becomes Global it'll be our Normal', 'End Colonial Rule', 'Racist UK', 'Public Register equals Economic Death', 'This is not about money, it's about our lives', 'BOLLUK', 'No imperial legislation, Colonialism long gone', 'Hurricane UK is upon us', and 'They left us to the birds, Now we're flying they want to clip our wings,.
Following speeches by various persons including Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Virgin Islands Icon Patsy C. Lake, who had famously marched against the selling of Wickham's Cay in 1968 when she was just 23 years of age, the petition to the Queen was given to Acting Governor Mr David D. Archer.
Persons were told to listen out for updates from the Decision to March Committee.
More details to follow.
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12 Responses to “Close to 5000 take to streets in Decision March 2018”
Russia has started to hide billions in the past couple of years in the BVI this is the problem, but seeing as the Police can access this information there is no need for this law for public access.
Now the Ministers want to go indy, who will then keep them in check from pocketing and backhanders when there is so much of it going on just now, now perhaps if there was not then this law wouldn't of been passed. Its the NDP hat has brought this and now they want to be independent, beware!
Up to this day I cannot see any effort in rebuilding the schools. Now we matching against the UK; take a good look ate the conduct of our ministers and the people's money.