Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Jamaica's Governor-General suspends use of royal insignia over 'offending image'

- UK petition for image on Order of St Michael & St George to be redesigned passes 13,000 signatures
There have been strong criticisms in the United Kingdom (UK) that the image on one of Britain’s highest honours, Order of St Michael and St George, is reminiscent of the May 25, 2020, killing of George P. Floyd Jr by a white police officer in the US that led to worldwide protests. Photo: The Guardian/Internet Source
Queen Elizabeth II knights Patrick L. Allen, the governor-general of Jamaica, in 2009. Photo: AP
Queen Elizabeth II knights Patrick L. Allen, the governor-general of Jamaica, in 2009. Photo: AP
A petition in the United Kingdom (UK) calling for the Order of St Michael and St George medal to be redesigned has attracted 13,054 of the 15,000 signatures being asked for on change.org. Photo: change.org
A petition in the United Kingdom (UK) calling for the Order of St Michael and St George medal to be redesigned has attracted 13,054 of the 15,000 signatures being asked for on change.org. Photo: change.org
KINGSTON, Jamaica- On the heels of criticisms that the image on one of Britain’s highest honours, Order of St Michael and St George, is reminiscent of the May 25, 2020, killing of George P. Floyd Jr by white police officers in the US that led to worldwide protests, Jamaica's governor-general has announced he will no longer wear the royal insignia.

Governor-General Patrick L. Allen, the British monarchy's representative in Jamaica, made the announcement on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Allen said he is suspending the personal use of the insignia of the Order of St Michael and St George because of its offensive implications, according to a statement on the governor-general's website.

The insignia has the illustration of St Michael and Satan on one of its sides, according to the British royal family's website.

According to CNN today, June 28, 2020, the image posted to the governor-general's website and highlighted by Allen shows Satan as a dark-skinned man under the foot of a White archangel and has recently caused anger in Jamaica.

Image should reflect ‘shared humanity of all peoples’

In his statement, Allen said the suspension follows his acknowledgment of concerns raised by "citizens over the image on the medal, and the growing global rejection of the use of objects that normalise the continued degradation of people of colour."

Allen, according to CNN, sent a letter to the Chancellor of the Order of St Michael and St George requesting a revision of the image, recommending that it be "changed to reflect an inclusive image of the shared humanity of all peoples," the statement says.

CNN said it has reached out to the palace press office for comment, but has not yet received a response.

The Order of St Michael and St George is traditionally awarded to ambassadors and diplomats and senior Foreign Office officials who have served abroad. It has three ranks, the highest of which is Knight Grand Cross (GCMG), followed by Knight Commander (KCMG) and Companion (CMG).

Petition for image redesign gets over 13,000 signatures

Meanwhile, a petition in the United Kingdom (UK) calling for the medal to be redesigned had attracted 13,054 of the 15,000 signatures being asked for on change.org as of 12:00pm on June 28, 2020.

According to the creator of the petition, Tracy Reeve, “This is a highly offensive image, it is also reminiscent of the recent murder of George Floyd by the white policeman in the same manner presented here in this medal. We the undersigned are calling for this medal to completely redesigned in a more appropriate way and for an official apology to be given for the offence it has given.”

Many prominent UK citizens have supported the call.

22 Responses to “Jamaica's Governor-General suspends use of royal insignia over 'offending image'”

  • wow (28/06/2020, 12:44) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
    I have seen many depictions of the devil in this manner. It is sad to see how the devil is being defended. We are truly living in the last days.
    • Saddened (28/06/2020, 16:07) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      agree. its a rep of the devil...NOT A BLACK MAN
      • Fran (29/06/2020, 19:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ SMH and Saddened, Oh Really?

        @ SMH and Saddened. Oh really? Why is it that anything you all say is bad is painted Black, when we all know the biggest devils on earth are White. Put a White devil under his foot and it would seem non-racial, but you all don't want us to see it for what it is which IS RACISM! You have gotten away so many years just treating Black people like cow manure, that you got the nerve to get angry now that we won't take it anymore. Make your devil your own color and deal with all of your own SINS that you have created and leave Black people ALONE!




  • Dirk (28/06/2020, 12:57) Like (6) Dislike (14) Reply
    The medal being around over 100 years. It just show the mentality from slavery. A perfect symbol of what the National Democratic Party was doing to the people and still the opposition there blocking social security board from helping the people.
  • truth be told (28/06/2020, 13:22) Like (7) Dislike (20) Reply
    The governor must go also he is the symbol of colonialism and oppression
    • Rubber Duck (29/06/2020, 05:44) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      The Governor is the only thing preventing Haitian levels of corruption and living standards. Sit down.
  • ? (28/06/2020, 13:33) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    I'm confused, he's had the honor for 11 years and never seemed to have a problem with it before.
    • NezRez (28/06/2020, 14:36) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      @?....Because some people have their eyes wide shut. While you may think it is okay, many feel the insult of Caucasian people with their foot on Black people’s necks. You even show the devil as being Black. Pictures speak volumes, and this is a outright insulting truth of how Caucasians see themselves over Black people. Well, the time has come to put an end to this degradation that so many of you love. I tell you what, put a Caucasian devil under the foot of a Black angel......as I thought, you don’t like it. That shows you that something is terribly wrong with this medal.
      • ? (28/06/2020, 16:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @NezRez
        Where did I state that I thought is was ok?
        • NezRez (28/06/2020, 20:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
          @?...The mere fact that you stated "he had the honor for 11 years and never seemed to have a problem with it before" confused you. Some people are just fine not rocking the boat, being on their knees trying to always please..... until someone tells them to GET UP and walk. So I'm confused...what is wrong with him now waking up from his coma and stating it needs to change? Black people find it very very offensive and disrespectful, and it depicts what has been happening to us since we were taken all over the world to work FREE LABOR? Some people feel as though we have no feelings and should just stop confronting all of the wrongs that have been shoved down our throats. If it was you and yours this was being done to, would you be silent?
    • Slave (28/06/2020, 15:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Because they are comfortable being slaves
  • The governor (28/06/2020, 14:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Must go .......vote for him and his queen medal must go
  • good move (28/06/2020, 15:37) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where is the ourrage we had before? Ths is systematic racism at its best. If the mentity reflected on the image did not still exist, cases like G Floyd would not be happening.Jamaica'Governor General is an example of a progressive and aware leader. It is likely that he did not notice or pay attention like many of us. He is is now armed with knowledge and made the right decision.
  • Ghost (28/06/2020, 15:40) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hmmn.. I find it so strange that this medal Has been around for so many years; they’ve been wearing it and saw nothing wrong with it.: and I’m assuming that none of us saw it prior to the killing of George Floyd ???...either way wickedness eventually shows its UGLY face.. I feel the making of this pin was very deliberate against our people but God’s face isn’t turn from us..again we need to pray for God to help us to become independent and not depend on these people for nothing ..
  • tzrtrzrzr (28/06/2020, 16:29) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Everyone should just calm down
  • farmer brown (28/06/2020, 17:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    White supremacy and racism is still alive and well in 2020 smh
  • zagred smith (29/06/2020, 00:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    that governor general softer than charmin
  • guy hill (29/06/2020, 06:09) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    God has a way of revealing evil in His perfect time.
  • governor must go (29/06/2020, 14:35) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Worst Governor. Must go. He on our necks. Why he only have black servants like slaves? Why only whites earn good money in his office? What symbolism is that telling us?! Wake up VI. Get him out.
  • NezRez (29/06/2020, 20:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A lot of things that are hurtful, sinful, racist, inhumane have been around for many years and perpetrated against us was because people were afraid to speak out against it.....BUT NO MORE! If you don't want it for you and your family, then why in the hell is it so hard for you to understand that we are sick of the injustices done to us and we don't want it anymore? We are mad as hell and not taking it anymore!!!!!!!!!
  • Reminds me (29/06/2020, 21:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This disgraceful imagery reminds me of our reality - a racist imperialist colonialist dictatorial Governor on the neck of our democratically elected Premier. Governor a disgrace and abuses his power without recourse or reprehension. Double standards. Needs to go. Now. Stop being enslaved VI. Wake up and get him out.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.