‘I will not take part if it is a NDP or VIP march’ – Patsy C. Lake
Mrs Lake was involved in the Positive Action Movement march in 1968 in protest of the Bates-Hill Company’s unfair development of land within the territory.
She said, “I say to people I will not take part if it is a National Democratic Party, or Virgin Islands Party march… Some say it is a John Cline march but I am telling you it is a people’s march. This is a country march. Also, I never thought that I would have to march again.”
While encouraging persons to come out and support the march, Mrs Lake mentioned that the expatriates should support the march as well because they will be affected as well.
“Those of you who have come here to make a living, if we don’t march and this goes through you will have to go back to your country or find somewhere else to reside. It’s just simple. We are going to sing during this march, ‘We Will overcome’ because in this day and age you can’t just cut us off and push us back forty plus years and this is what this is all about. Don’t let the negative persons stop you from taking part in this. This is your future,” she added.
The local activist urged individuals to “not let the critics discourage them” from taking part in the march because there will always be persons trying to discourage people from doing something. “This is for the people and the people’s future.”
Governor Jaspert away from Territory during march
Meanwhile, Bishop John I. Cline, who is spearheading the organising committee, expressed that Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert's absence will not affect the march, while explaining that his trip was planned before the decision to have a march.
He said, “It is not a disappointment for us but we would have loved to have him there. So it has nothing to do with being absent for the march. We are marching to the Governor’s House, we are not marching to a person but to an office. The Governor holds a certain office in this country and the office will be filled by the Deputy Governor who represents the UK.”
Bishop Cline further stated that the petition will be given to David D. Archer Jr, Deputy Governor, who will then pass it on to the Governor to hand to the UK.
No penalisation if public servants march
Businesswoman and Mrs BVI 2017, Zoe J. Walcott-MacMillan, who is another member of the organising committee, assured public servants that they will “not be penalised” if they decide to march.
She explained, “Following the meeting with the Deputy Governor, he is supposed to make a statement to reassure civil servants that there will be no penalisation of them being able to take part in the march but they have asked that you do that on your own time.”
She also told reporters that chartered ferries will be made available for persons from the sister islands who wish to take part in the march.
The march is scheduled for May 24, 2018, starting at 3:45 P.M. to facilitate the public servants and it will begin at the Sunday Morning Well, to Fleming Street and Waterfront Drive and end at Government House.
The march is in protest of the UK parliament’s recent vote to impose public registers, which is an amendment to the UK’s Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, that forces the Overseas Territories and the Virgin Islands (VI) to reveal names of beneficial owners of offshore companies registered in the territory.
Patsy C. Lake, Bishop John I. Cline, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Opposition Leader and First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Deputy Premier, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) will be the speakers at the march.
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13 Responses to “‘I will not take part if it is a NDP or VIP march’ – Patsy C. Lake”
Smoke and Mirrors. How convenient it is that the Governor wouldn’t be here, that’s diplomacy for you. Some words are meticulously measured and hardly hold weight in the diplomatic chess game. However, what most critics do not understand is that, this is a demonstration of the seen and the unseen.
The Spirits of the Ancestors will be in our midst. This will be a March of all Marches protected by the blood and tears of our Ancestors to send their message of solidarity where there are treats of devastation by outside forces who are so willingly eager to destroy our very existence as a people.
Sacrifice. Politics can come after. This is about survival of our people for the next generation. Some will not understand it’s purpose today.