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Stronger Together: Emancipation Service 2024

Scenes from the traditional march from Government House to the Sunday Morning Well during the annual Emancipation Service. (Photos by Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson/BVI News)

As the territory celebrates 190 years of emancipation through its annual emancipation festivities, it hosted what might be the most meaningful event of the entire multi-day festival on Sunday, August 4 — the annual Emancipation Service.

Held under the theme, ‘Stronger Together’, things kicked off with the traditional march from the Government House where the governor resides to the Sunday Morning Well, where thousands of Virgin Islands slaves were freed nearly two centuries ago.

Once at the Sunday Morning Well, attendees followed the event program stacked with historically significant activities in recognition of emancipation. These included singing the Afro-Caribbean Anthem and a rendition of the civil rights protest song, “We Shall Overcome.”

The event also saw remarks from Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, Co-Chair of the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Dr Michael Turnbull, and Art Christopher of the African Studies Club.

BVI News photographer Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson was present to capture some of the highlights.

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7 Comments

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  1. Real talk says:

    Bunch of lodge members lord have mercy on them

    • @Real talk says:

      For real. Where these dudes get these ideas from? Some dressed like they are in that movie with Eddie Murphy – the first Coming to America. I see King Jaffe Joffer, I see Semmi and I see Akeem. What a thing.

  2. voir dire says:

    it’s all a show if the government really cared about this stuff it would be a much bigger part of the festival rather than a token inclusion that it is now

  3. So little says:

    So little people show up for this match with Christian music…

    But festival full to the brim

    Jueve tramp full to the brim

    Clubs and bars full

    We’ve really fallen off and wondered why the youths behaving so immoral and rude oh lord have mercy on us

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  4. The says:

    problem also lies in the religion that is practiced and believed in, which is a fairytale religion based on stories, allegories and make believe, which has never done any thing for the upliftment and advancement of souls or spirts or the poor

    Show one poor person who have benefitted from religion and i will show you a snake and a chicken with teeth..

    It is nothing more than an exercise in blind faith, while. its schools. are the most expensive that the poor cannot even staand at its door step.

    Why is tha?

    • Guess What? says:

      @The,It’s true that some individuals have misrepresented Christianity and Christ, but this hasn’t changed who Christ is or altered the nature of God. You asked for examples of those who have benefited from Christ’s teachings—I’m one of them. The impact of the Gospel on my life has likely had a positive influence on you as well. If you provide me with your email, I can share more about my personal experience. God remains unchanging as stated in Hebrews 13:8. What will happen to you when you die? Where will you spend eternity? What if God judges your secrets? You are entitled to your opinion about Christianity, but not to your set of facts.

  5. @ REAL TALK says:

    You ain’t lieing , ESPECIALLY that wannabe pastor with the white hair , like a sly silver fox , in the red shirt , who had the NERVE to say ” WE don’t have any corruption here ” I hope the lord forgive/ him • say one , say two \\_ where was the other 2 ?

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