Protestors seek to have Mark H. Vanterpool sworn in to HoA
Some persons are also protesting the ‘fast track’ Residency and Belonger status regularisation programme by the Government of the Virgin Islands.
“Hopefully their hearts will change”- Vanterpool
Mr Vanterpool is also at the HoA where the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly is taking place.
“I am glad to see that the protest is peaceful and people are just trying to make their point, both on the immigration issue and the District 4 protest. I am glad to see it is peaceful, unfortunately, the show of force is overwhelming,” Mr Vanterpool said, referring to the strong police presence at the Parliament.
“But I think the people of the BVI are very peaceful and loving people. I think the people should remain peaceful and make their point to the Premier and the Speaker that this is not how democracy works, so hopefully their hearts will change,” Mr Vanterpool said.
Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Julian Willock has not sworn in Mr Vanterpool, who had resigned as an elected representative but later changed his mind and argued that his resignation was invalid since it was addressed to the Clerk of the HoA and not the Speaker.
After the High Court ruled that Mr Vanterpool be sworn in, the matter was taken to the Court of Appeal.
“We have needs”- Mr Raymond Fonseca
One of the main persons behind the protest is Mr Raymond Fonseca, who said the Fourth District has not been attended to since the elections of February 25, 2019, and that persons are negatively affected.
He noted that he has a special needs child and he depends on the support of Mr Vanterpool, who has also assisted the elderly in his district.
Mr Fonseca, who is of the belief that Speaker Willock should be fired if the Court of Appeal does not rule in his favour, said if Mr Vanterpool is not sworn in today they will proceed to take a petition to the Governor, His Excellency Augustus J. U. Jaspert.
“Democracy alive & well in VI” - Speaker Willock
Speaker Willock, during the Announcement by the Speaker, said he has taken note of the persons who “are outside the chambers expressing their view.”
“For me, it says that democracy in the Virgin Islands is alive and well and it is guaranteed under our constitution, and for that I am grateful.”
The protestors have also been asked to exit the compound of the HoA for the Sitting to commence.
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