Premier reflects on legacy of 1949 Great March
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley highlighted the continued evolution of the government as officials, organizations, and schools across the territory participated in the re-enactment of the Great March on November 29, 1949. This year’s reenactment took place on Sunday, November 24, 2024, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the original march.
The Great March, which occurred in November 1949, saw around 1,500 Virgin Islanders, led by Theodolph Faulkner of Anegada, Isaac “Glanny” Fonseca, and Carlton de Castro, stage a peaceful demonstration. The marchers, protesting issues affecting their quality of life, made their way from Road Town to the Commissioner’s Office (now the Governor’s Office) to demand better governance and self-determination.
During the reenactment, government officials wore shirts marking the 75th anniversary of the Great March and some held replicas of “The Petition”—a document presented by the original marchers demanding the right to self-government. Students from local schools, including the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), as well as staff from across the Territory, took part in the event.
Miss British Virgin Islands and reigning local pageant winners represented the island’s cultural pride and heritage. Community organisations such as the Red Cross, Nurses’ Association, and Cancer Society also participated in the reenactment, showing their support for the historical event.
In his speech, Premier Wheatley reflected on the significant political changes that have occurred since that pivotal moment in 1949.
He noted, “The islands were elevated in status to a presidency, then a colony, and then to an Overseas Territory.” He highlighted the constitutional changes that have shaped the Virgin Islands’ political landscape, including the introduction of ministerial government in 1967, which led to the appointment of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt as the first Chief Minister. This shift in leadership eventually transformed the Chief Minister’s role into the position of Premier, which we have today.
Wheatley also emphasized the financial autonomy gained through ministerial government, with the territory assuming responsibility for its finances, investments, and expenditures. “The late Willard Wheatley recorded the first surplus budget in 1978,” he added, noting that since then, the Territory has been managing its own fiscal affairs.
“The evolution of our government institutions has been a transformational effect of the movement that surrounded the Great March of 1949,” Wheatley continued. “We would not be where we are today without the sacrifices and determination of those who participated in that movement.”
The original Great March laid the foundation for political advancements in the Virgin Islands, including the restoration of the Legislative Council in 1950 (now the House of Assembly) and the empowerment of Virgin Islanders to elect representatives to serve their interests. The march ultimately paved the way for the territory’s ongoing political and constitutional development.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Happy Holiday yow
The entire BVI Cabinet and members of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition had the opportunity yesterday to walk along Main Street. I hope they took due note of the condition of that road. Keeping our fingers crossed.
D5 i see that play see the you ai t chose green…hurry check mate
Hon Fraser looks nice in his yellow jersey
For as long as there is a throne in UK with a sitting official and one sitting as the in the highest and most powerful entity ruler of Caribs and others,there is no self government, only colonial rule.
Any thing else is a disguised story masquarading as a governmentt of fact.
Tortolians are not masters of their own destiny. That is one reason UK can send an inexperienced person to act in the role of Assistant Deeuty of Police, while everyone can see the odorousness of the appointment.
This sort of absentee rulership will continue to disenfrandhise our aspireing youths and men to seek higher positions within the so called masquarading parade called government.
Until the words of the Premier of Bardbados become our marching mantra, we will continue to be disrespected by the UK and other colonial offsprings.
They still represent the very dark side of humanity, where disrespect and no caring or the local population as human are the natural way of life for them.
Time for those with foresight and courage step up to the role destiny has for them to play in our actual liberation. First by replacing the status quo upholders.
Then selecting new knowledgable and inspired leaders to serve as rudders to assisting and charting a new course for Totola and its outer islands..Some to most are comfortable in thier corner and have not the knowledgee or understanding of whereabouts, political security.
And are the Tortolians going to be the masters of the other islands?
wow the ruling class on their feet in the streets
so you got another new name again but it’s the same SH*T you spewing out, only a different day , you and jokers like you , are worse than our former
slave masters
So saith the brraying donkey.
For as long as there is a throne in UK with a sitting official and one sitting as the in the highest and most powerful entity ruler of Caribs and others,there is no self government, only colonial rule.
Any thing else is a disguised story masquarading as a governmentt of fact.
Tortolians are not masters of their own destiny. That is one reason UK can send an inexperienced person to act in the role of Assistant Deeuty of Police, while everyone can see the odorousness of the appointment.
This sort of absentee rulership will continue to disenfrandhise our aspireing youths and men to seek higher positions within the so called masquarading parade called government.
Until the words of the Premier of Bardbados become our marching mantra, we will continue to be disrespected by the UK and other colonial offsprings.
They still represent the very dark side of humanity, where disrespect and no caring or the local population as human are the natural way of life for them.
Time for those with foresight and courage step up to the role destiny has for them to play in our actual liberation. First by replacing the status quo upholders.
Then selecting new knowledgable and inspired leaders to serve as . rudders to assisting and charting a new course for Totola and its outer islands..Some to most are comfortable in thier corner and have not the knowledgee or understanding of whereabouts, political security
It’s the most foolie revolutionary march I have seen, too complacent eating steak and drinking fine wine, these moomooish people marching singing about Jesus and thing , white people must be laughing, you not going ever be independent, you going enter it with all planted puppet politicians, it was the Christianity they pummeled into our head to forgive the slave master, so now we are free we ain’t doing them a thing but voluntarily giving them our best lands and financial service concessions, I see the symptom of the house ni**er who had the left over bones from master dinner so they are happy or complacent, the BVI is like that, they allow us to spend USD currency and we thumb our nose to the other Caribbean islands and call them third world down islands, the current set of activist and politicians has ulterior motive of self enrichment, not the BVI people at large, with their little fancy charming tourist singing about 1949, put some more fire behind it, and the politicians should only be spectators, they have agreements with UK personally who promise them continuous premiership, should be lead by activist who is not on the government pay list.
@@ EV: Thank you. I appreciate you.
The same positions i have been extolling all along, but using a different approach.
Funny how some Negros and Caucuses’ will hide behind a keyboard and safely many miles, spy the news site daily, and in their twisted minds attack anyone whose positions are different from theirs, and of which do not represent their status quo..
They hence, in their world, what ever is going on in it, resort to spewing illiterate and uninformed written hatred and nonsense at sane and well educated, exposed, well read and informed folks.
Can only begin to understand what Malcolm X, Fanz Fanon and Walter Rodney put up with before succumbing to ignorance, hate and violence.
Some pass through the canal of motherhood to be thinkers, leaders, teachers and scholars, while some come prepared only to be sheep, insulters’ and antagonists.
Respect gains more resect. Disrespect gains more trauma and violence. Thread very carefully.
All has a role to play on life’s journey. Just be respectful and learn how respect narratives you are uncomfortable with.