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We must march & sick out for laws to be ‘equal’ for everyone– Speaker

- reiterated that laws of territory should apply to CoI as it applies to persons in VI
Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly, Hon Julian Willock has called on Government critics to take a stand to ensure that the laws of the territory are equal for all. Photo: VINO/File
The case subsequently had to be withdrawn after it was found that Hon Willock needed the permission of the Attorney General, Hon Dawn J. Smith to move forward. However, while the Attorney General had indicated that the three needed to be called to the bar, she somehow refused to back the case to block the three lawyers from continuing to practice law despite them not being called. Photo: Internet Source
The case subsequently had to be withdrawn after it was found that Hon Willock needed the permission of the Attorney General, Hon Dawn J. Smith to move forward. However, while the Attorney General had indicated that the three needed to be called to the bar, she somehow refused to back the case to block the three lawyers from continuing to practice law despite them not being called. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Speaker of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly, Hon Julian Willock has called on Government critics to take a stand to ensure that the laws of the territory are equal for all.

The Speakers’ statement came as some members of the community were seeking to mobilise workers to sick out and stage a protests against the sitting Government and the Hon Speaker over legal fees incurred by the Speaker in a withdrawn case against three CoI lawyers.

Hon Willock, in his capacity as Speaker and in a bid to hold the CoI lawyers accountable, had filed an injunction against the three who were not called to the BVI Bar in accordance with the Legal Professions Act 2015, however, were still practising in the territory.

The case subsequently had to be withdrawn after it was found that Hon Willock needed the permission of the Attorney General, Hon Dawn J. Smith, to move forward. However, while the Attorney General had indicated that the three lawyers needed to be called to the bar, she somehow refused to back the case to block the three lawyers from continuing to practice law despite them not being called.

“The same way they want my members of the House of Assembly accountable, we must hold also the judiciary accountable for ensuring that we have the rule of law [and] it applies to everybody,” Hon Willock told Umoja host Cromwell Smith aka Ed Ju Enka on Monday, November 15, 2021.

Speaker has right to ensure laws are adhered to - Hon Willock 

“As the Speaker, those laws are passed in the House of Assembly… I also have a right, I also have an obligation to make sure that when once the laws are passed in the House of Assembly, that our laws must be adhered to or else, we would have a system where there are two judicial systems,” he said. 

Hon Willock said the mission should be that there is not one law for ‘them’ and other law for ‘us”.

“We have to fight against that, we must march against that, we must sick out against that, we must continue to agitate against that. That’s the law, regardless of who you are where you [are] from, that the law must apply equally across the board for every member,” he said.

The HoA Speaker said that this is the message the critics need to understand and see the bigger picture of the situation, “Whether you like the Speaker, or you like the Premier, or you like the Leader of Opposition, that's that another story,” he said.

17 Responses to “We must march & sick out for laws to be ‘equal’ for everyone– Speaker”

  • Appeal Judge (19/11/2021, 16:53) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    The AG admits the COI Lawyers broke VI Laws. Yet Judge Jack give them a handsome reward for it.
  • tit4tat (19/11/2021, 16:56) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mayson geh frum yah
  • Rubber Duck (19/11/2021, 17:33) Like (5) Dislike (24) Reply
    We with Willock he needs to be honored
  • GTFOH (19/11/2021, 18:11) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    We need to stop this crap. I’m not a fan of Willock but he is right on the issue of the COI working without being admitted to the bar and right to be upset if the governor tries to take money out of the consolidated funds to pay for legal fees for the COI. Wrong is wrong no matter who who does it. It shouldn’t matter if it is someone we like or don’t like. The AG is the one that allegedly failed to do her duties based on what I understand. The laws should apply to all black and white or from here or there.
  • asura (19/11/2021, 18:13) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Willock you speaking good
  • BuzzBvi (19/11/2021, 18:30) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    It is a surprise move on the squeakers part. Making it so that everyone pays the same stamp duty, that property taxes are the same for all, that Trade Licence costs are not $500 for some and $2500 for others as the new unequal VI Trade laws say, that some can do this type of business but others can't. I love your vision Mr squeaker that all Acts and laws should be equal for everyone. Looking forward to it, you have my full support.
  • trevor (19/11/2021, 18:38) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    No, any March would be against corruption, that is what is needed.
  • Anti Vaxxer (19/11/2021, 19:06) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Say what ? Equal rights for all of us ? No more mandatory vax to keep jobs or to get jobs ? We coming !
  • Native Senior Citizen. (19/11/2021, 20:47) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Mismanagement of our finances by political leaders are the main reason why the CoI probing is currently probing.
    As I and many others see it, the current Administration is trying to divert attention away from the central issue using various tactics.
    Why should we march? We now need more money to buy food for strength. We are alread sick of the same ongoing misrepresentation over many years by political leaders. Why asked us to sick out? We are already sick of you, and you, and the others swell-headed pride, unproving words, and arrogance.


  • No such thing. (19/11/2021, 21:03) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    There will never be equal for all in the BVI. Period.
  • Madussa (20/11/2021, 08:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is Cindy to lead the sick out?
  • Dancing in the sunshine (20/11/2021, 08:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This issue with the Hon. Speaker must be looked at from a point of view that we have one person in the Territory who is bold to represent his country against the British Empire. Whatever is the out come he has brought to light the unfair practice of the Colonialist. Many persons would like to sweep under the rog what was done to our ancestors over the past four hundred hears.
    As Bob Marley said until the philosophy that holds one race superior and another inferior is eradicated and abandoned, everywhere will be war. Why should a colored person must be held as inferior to to white, is it because of the color of his skin? the time has come for us to work to dismantle this nonsense. Only yesterday a colored man was release from prison after serving sixty years in prison in Louisiana USA for robbery and a white youth was freed for murdering two men. Is that the equal justice for all. Let us support Hon. Willock despite our political differences.
    • Canegrrrl (21/11/2021, 11:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why you write about wa happen The US?
      We ain’t got nothing to do with them. Black an white good here. We have each other fighting not with white pol.


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