Monday, November 24, 2025 is a public holiday in VI
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This observance commemorates the historic demonstration of November 24, 1949, when Theodolph H. Faulkner, Isaac G. Fonseca, aka 'Glanny', Carlton L.E. deCastro, and more than 1,500 Virgin Islanders marched to the Commissioner’s Office, now the Governor’s Office, raising urgent concerns about social and political conditions impacting the lives of Virgin Islanders.
Public encouraged to 'reflect'
During the march, demonstrators submitted a petition challenging the governance system then administered from Antigua. Their actions became a catalyst for restoring the Legislative Council and set the course for the modern Virgin Islands.
The public is encouraged to reflect on this significant milestone and its lasting role in shaping our democratic journey.
The Commemoration of the Great March of 1949 and the Restoration of the Legislative Council was first observed as a public holiday in 2021.
The holiday comes at a time when the territory is being reminded by the controversial actions of Governor Daniel Pruce that it is not truly free, and the journey to self-determination, which our ancestors fought and sacrificed for, continues.
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14 Responses to “Monday, November 24, 2025 is a public holiday in VI”
When a Governor doing what he is supposed to do in line with the Constituition of the VI and is condemned for it by corrupt leaders and corrupt elites because he is following the laws of the land.
Things were different in 1949. People wanted law and order and protection from the Elite. They marched for it and got change. They used it well.
Since and after the years of H Lavity Stoutt we have moved very far from what we gained in 1950. We now have a Government in love with corruption, in love with past premiers now incarcerated for Drug Smuggling and Money Laundering. We have a Government supporting Police Officers who do not want to be vetted, a Government that wants to keep SECRET reports on $Billion investments, keep contracts hidden, keep accounts hidden and without audits, keep pictures of criminals of Government walls, pushing to change the Constitution against the recommendations of the Commision they appointed and against the will of the people, pushing for Independence without consulting the people.
We are so far from what the 1949 March acheived for this nation.
Do not be fooled.
VIGILATE.
These leaders are not the same as those of our past.
Today is a public holiday commemorating a) The Great March of 24 November 1949 , and Restoration of the Legislative Council, which was suspended in 1901. The holiday is more than a day of Rest and Recuperation (R&R); rather it should be a da of reflection, looking back at the past, focusing on the present and charting the future . Shakespeare notes: “What is past , is prologue.” 1949 was in the era of Commissioner John Augustus Cockburn Cruikshank ( 1946-1954)with many of who lived during his era viewed him as ruling with a strong, iron fist. The Great March of was fueled, energized etc 1500 Virgin Islanders from an estimated population of 7000, coming from the length and breath, every village, every hamlet, etc, iin Tortola, from outlying islands to protest, seeking redress for a myriad of social, economic and political issues to improve their quality of life, standards of living, etc. The governance of the era is reflective of core Colonialism, ie, control, exclusionary, extractive political and economic institution/governance , racial hierarchy with special privileges, entitlements, exercising unilateral power. etc. It is de javu all over again. It seems as the current governance at and from Mount Olympus is replicating the era of John A.C. Cruikshank. What lesson did the Great March teach Virgin Islanders?
Moreover, the Great March demonstrated unity carries power and strength; effective planning, organizing follows the numbers. The power and strength of unity are an invaluable lesson for Virgin Islanders. Virgin Islanders must capitalize on the alchemy of unity.
Further the following is a summary of the petition delivered to Commissioners John A.C. Cruikshank by leaders of the 1949 Great March.:
Source : Dr. Charles H. Wheatley from his populace Wheatake series , Wheatake 37:
“ We the people of the British Virgin Islands, theoretically a free people by reason of the fact that we are supposed to be British subjects and citizens of the British Empire, are today in numbers assembled as a Demonstration of Protest against certain conditions under which we have hitherto been forced to live. Our history since the beginning of this century has been one long tale of political oppression by a government and not constitutionally "of the people" nor "by the people" at least should have been a government "for the people." But the events throughout the decades that are past, and are especially the events of the latter part of this present decade, that is to say, the mismanagement of our public affairs during your tenure of office as Commissioner, have forced upon us the conclusion that we are governed for the benefit of a certain few, and as a consequence, government instead of being for the people has been against the people.
One of the purpose of this demonstration today is for us to try to achieve a measure of political freedom for ourselves and the generations of the future. Our aim is, that we, the politically enslaved people of the British Virgin Islands, should henceforth be free British subjects in truth and deed. We refuse any longer to be the virtual slaves of a government in which a few officials call the tune while we, the taxpayers, pay the piper. We refuse to go on paying our taxes and revenues for others to spend and to waste as they see fit, others who have no regard for us and our public needs and no interest in us nor our welfare. Since we are always to pay the piper, we are resolved in the future ourselves to call the tune. We are imbued with a desire to decide our local affairs ourselves. We have outgrown that undesirable stage where one official, or an official clique, makes decisions for us -decisions which usually prove to be in favour of officialdom and with which we are compelled to abide. We are seeking for the privilege of deciding how our monies are to be spent and what shall be our presidential laws and policies. We are disgusted and weary of the oppression of the years. We are ashamed and indignant over the matter, that though the people of the British Virgin Islands belong to a democratic British Empire, we are, in fact, afflicted and saddled with a form of government akin to dictatorship. We are engaged in a great struggle, we assuredly do not stand alone-IN GOD WE TRUST.
As a christian population we feel that Almighty God is by our side, is behind and before us. He is able by guidance to help us, His people through, as he has helped others through in the past.
Standing by our side is the balance of British Virgin Islanders who are resident in the United States and its possessions.TODAY WE ARE MARCHING TOWARDS FREEDOM. And will continue to march until the freedom to us has been secured. We shall no longer remain contented with conditions as they are. We have endured, and endured, until our powers of endurance have failed us. We are to be freed from the yoke we have been carrying. We are asking for freedom. We are seeking freedom. WE DEMAND FREEDOM.”
Virgin Islanders need to get things together, get things right, for if not they will become second class citizens may third citizens in their own country.
[Lets lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like sheep and buffaloes].