Pacing around the Road Town roundabout on Monday morning, about half a dozen protestors called for the government to address problems ranging from water lock-offs and crumbling roads to mouldy buildings and high prices.
As police diverted cars away — resulting in gridlock in much of the capital between 9 and 10 a.m. — talk show host Floyd “Heritage” Burnett, former political candidate Aaron Parillon and others passed a microphone and took turns airing grievances.
Though the turnout was a far cry from the 1,000 people that Mr. Burnett had originally predicted, he described the pre-planned protest as a success.
“The handful of us represent thousands of people: each [of us], thousands of voices, you know?” he told the Beacon after the event. “You hear them every day on Tola Radio, you hear them on the blogs. You hear the frustration day to day in social media when people campaign on different things.”
At the protest, Mr. Burnett announced that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley and other government leaders had seven days to explain how they will fix wide-ranging problems facing the territory.
“We can’t afford another two years of this,” Mr. Burnett said afterwards. “The leader has seven days to fix these things immediately: address them, put together a schedule.”
If government doesn’t comply, the protestors will send a scathing letter to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office asking for Mr. Wheatley’s government to be dissolved, according to Mr. Burnett.
Premier responds
On Tuesday, the premier responded by thanking the protestors and promising to take their concerns seriously.
“Many of the issues raised are already being addressed through ongoing initiatives to improve the quality of life for all residents,” he said in a short statement. “These include efforts in infrastructure development, public sector reform, cost-of-living adjustments, public safety enhancements, and strengthened social support systems.”
Encouraging residents to read the wide-ranging updates in the Territorial Address he delivered last month, he added that his government has been sharing information on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month through the Virgin Islands Voice programme.
“While some matters require long-term planning and resource mobilisation, others are already showing signs of tangible progress,” he said. “We remain committed to informing the public as further steps are taken and timelines for additional initiatives are established.”
Speaking up
Though fewer than a dozen people populated the roundabout at any given time on Monday, some residents traded places with others to speak their mind. At one point, former Water and Sewerage Department Director Perline Scatliffe-Leonard took the microphone.
“We need water, we need roads, we need healthcare and price control,” said Ms. Scatliffe-Leonard, who unsuccessfully contested Mr. Wheatley’s District Seven seat in the 2023 general election. “And that’s all connected with your price; cost of living. That’s all related.”
The cost of living affects people of all ages, she added.
“I remember once I was in the Greenland area and I literally saw one of my colleagues, somebody I went to school with, digging in the garbage,” she said. “A bright person, just because he doesn’t have a job to survive.”
Mr. Parillon, who in 2023 contested the District Three seat held by Deputy Premier Julian Fraser, spoke up about the lack of a reliable water supply in the territory.
“Full rent we have to pay, but you can’t get full water in your houses,” he said. “You have to pay full water bills, and you’re not even getting the full amount of water.”
Sylvanna Charles, a schoolteacher who lives in the Sixth District, took the microphone later in the morning.
“As a teacher, there are many mornings that I have to call in and say, ‘Hey, can someone hold my first period class today?’ Because I don’t have running water to get ready for work,” she said. “Or sometimes I get into work and children are stumbling in late to my lessons, and you ask them, ‘Sweetie, why are you late this morning?’ ‘Oh, teacher, I live Joes Hill, but we had no water this morning, so mommy had to carry everybody East End by granny to get ready.’”
Police blessing
The day before the protest, the police announced plans to close three stretches of road leading up to the roundabout.
“The protest may result in temporary congestion or limited access in certain areas of Road Town,” their Sunday statement noted, adding, “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding and cooperation as citizens exercise their right to peaceful protest.”
Mr. Burnett notified authorities in a May 27 letter to Governor Daniel Pruce.
The letter, which Mr. Burnett shared with the Beacon, noted an expected turnout of around 1,000 people and listed the protestors’ planned talking points.
“I am kindly seeking your permission to host a peaceful march with police protection, and an hour leave of absence for all civil servants and students to participate in this law-abiding demonstration,” Mr. Burnett wrote.
Copied to the email were Deputy Governor David Archer Jr., Attorney General Dawn Smith, and acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool.
No leave?
Mr. Burnett told the Beacon he believes civil servants and students were not granted an hour of leave as he had requested.
Government Communications Director Karia Christopher referred questions about the request to the Deputy Governor’s Office.
The DGO replied Wednesday evening, after Beacon‘s print deadline.
In the response, the DGO claimed to have shared Mr. Burnett’s correspondence with “senior managers.”
“The governor requested of the deputy governor to share Mr. Burnett’s correspondence to senior managers so they can engage staff within their ministries, should they have questions regarding the march,” the Wednesday email stated. “The governor’s request was executed on Friday … by the deputy governor.”
According to the DGO, instructions on how public officers can be released were included with Friday’s correspondence.
“The deputy governor’s communication included instructions on how public officers can be released if they intended to attend the march while ensuring the delivery of services to clients, which is in line with established policies within the Public Service,” the statement noted.
“The work to establish a Human Rights Commission further strengthens the mission of ensuring the rights of all persons in the territory are protected. Persons are encouraged to become familiar with Chapter 2 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which speaks to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.”
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