Virgin Islanders unite for Jacqueline E. Vanterpool
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The protest was planned following Governor Daniel Pruce's decision not to confirm Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Jacqueline E. Vanterpool as CoP, which was made using Section 97 of the Constitution of the Virgin Islands.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith, Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1); Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), Opposition Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), business people, members of the clergy, civil servants, and other persons were present for the gathering.
Enough is enough- Premier
Premier Wheatley said, “Enough is enough”, while giving his contribution.
“I am telling the people of the Virgin Islands, you better pay attention, because if you do not pay attention, and do not stand up, the Virgin Islands will be taken away from you, taken right under your feet.”
He warned that what Theodolph H. Faulkner, Carlton de Castro, Isaac Glanville ‘Glanny’ Fonseca, and 1500 Virgin Islanders marched for 75 years ago cannot be taken away.
“Mr Ullger did not apply, so how is it that a daughter of this soil, who grew up here, who came up in the force, who understands the people of the Virgin Islands, how is it that she can just be disregarded like she is nothing, like she is nobody? Jackie is somebody, Jackie is one of us. Are we going to allow her to be treated that way? We cannot. We will not allow Jackie to be disregarded like that.”
Meanwhile, Aaron F. Parillon said what is being done to Vanterpool is “ethnic” and “sexist” abuse.
“You cannot remove her to place him, chastise a lady who has been one of Lavity’s dreams. Lavity’s dream was for his people to become educated so that we are the ones in leadership positions to lead this country, and this must stop; this has to stop.”
Misogyny is alive & well in Governor’s Office
Former legislator Shereen D. Flax-Charles also showed her support for Vanterpool and all Virgin Islanders.
“Jackie is a daughter of the soil…let me tell you people of the Virgin Islands, she is a BVIslander and that is what is important. One of the things that bothers me with what is happening is that misogyny is alive and well in the Governor’s Office, and we need to put a stop to that.”
Vanterpool, she added, has paid her dues and gotten the education she was required to obtain.
“Now they’re turning around and ‘demoting’ her to bring someone that has a questionable record…the Governor needs to be fair."
Dr Kedrick D. Pickering, another former legislator, said there is something fishy about this Governor's decision. He revealed that he had read Governor Pruce's letter to Vanterpool, describing it as having "diplomatic language", as is customary. Still, he added, the question is what is not being said when you read between the lines.
"Was this a setup? Was it deliberate? To put her in a position to say 'I got you now, let me take you down'."
The governor united us
Ms Sharia B. de Castro said that while the Governor may have believed his decision on Vanterpool was an act of authority or an assertion of power, it proved to be something else.
“He united Virgin Islanders; he united us across political party lines, he united us beyond personalities, beyond preference, beyond position, because this fight is far bigger than politics, this is about principle.”
She added that standing up and protesting is about what is right for the Virgin Islands.
“He reminded us that when you touch one of us, you touch all of us. He reminded us that there is still something sacred in this soil- a shared identity, a shared pride, a shared purpose that cannot be broken or divided.”
Bishop John I. Cline added that the fight must continue for our cause.
“Jackie Vanterpool has provided for us a catalyst for which we can rally again…don’t underestimate the power of a few for any indication that there is not a united voice against this matter, because we will not stop.”
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