VIP, NDP unite in protest of governor’s ouster of acting top cop
NDP President Bishop John Cline and VIP President Sharia deCastro. (Photo provided)
Leaders of the governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and the opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) have joined forces to protest the removal of acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool, calling it a national issue that transcends party lines.
NDP President Bishop John Cline and VIP President Sharia deCastro announced plans for a week-long protest in Road Town, beginning this afternoon, over what they described as a unilateral decision by the United Kingdom-appointed governor.
“This has nothing to do with politics. It has nothing to do with party,” Cline stated. “It is why we are pairing together to dispel any notion that there is any partisan political agenda here. This is one agenda, and this is a national agenda, and it is to fight and to stand up for the soul of our country,” he added.
The joint stance follows widespread criticism of Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to demote Vanterpool from her acting post. Vanterpool had received public praise for her leadership, including from Governor Pruce, before a British national was put forward as her replacement.
Cline urged residents to join the protest, saying it was about “standing in solidarity representing all people of the Virgin Islands.” He said the demonstration followed “the removal of the acting commissioner of police without cause, without reason given,” despite being “lauded for doing a good job”.
DeCastro echoed the call for unity, stressing that the movement is about territorial integrity and inclusion in decision-making. “This has absolutely nothing to do with politics and it has everything to do with territory. This is about the Virgin Islands. Decisions about us must be made with us,” she said.
She described the UK’s handling of the matter as “a slap in the face” to Virgin Islanders, adding, “We are standing for partnership and not paternalism. Can we partner, can we make this about BVI and the fact that we are capable of deciding our destiny?”
DeCastro said the protest would continue throughout the week, “peaceful but powerful, informed and unified, grounded in respect but uncompromising in principle and rooted in love for these Virgin Islands.”
The call for protest comes amid ongoing public debate over the extent of the governor’s reserve powers. Cline urged residents not to remain silent, saying, “Do not complain in silence. Do not complain in your homes or on the job. Come out tomorrow afternoon.”
The demonstration is expected to culminate on Friday, as organisers aim to “send a strong message” to the United Kingdom.
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While an unfortunate – This is really the issue that finally transcends party lines? WTF?!!!!! You politicians are so damn disgusting!!!!!
NDP cannot even heal its own wound.
Where is the island man party in all this
Check under yuh wig yuh bullfrog looking self
be nice… God wants you to be nice.
Why everything have to be turned political? Why politicians always believe that if they don’t lead something it wouldn’t work when it’s when they are involved things don’t work.
I think your missing the point, Mrs vanderpoole will be retiring next year, has anyone asked her if she still wants the job
Then let her transition out gracefully and make a selection after her retirement.
Did they research to see that Ms. Vanterpooll will be 65 years old in less than 2 years and she has enough leave time from now to then?
Where is the honorable Skeleton
Skeleton, Skeleton , where are you ???
You should be ashame of yourself,
Skeleton say something,, Skeletooooooon.
He gone toilet. Probably, in there hiding instead of actually using the commode.
Some of these people need to tell their fellow marchers and the Public how many times they have sat down in that Governor’s office in the past to bad-talk their fellow Virgin Islander to be ousted from running a department or ministry.
Just because they couldn’t have them under their thumb to do what they wanted, especially if it was something illegal and unethical. What a tangled web we weave.
The whole long and short is Jackie ready. Although she knows the problem with corruption, she is against vetting.
Jackie is a jockeyjng for the crimbs throwing promised by the gang anleader Slowande.
She should be REmoveVED from her undeserving position and shelved,
However her actions like a marionette is a documented and public demonstration why these VI cannot be selfgoverning at this time. It also demonstrate why the murderers,escapees drug lords etc are rarely ” located” and run things affecting our lives and with impunity.
The efforts are directed and thwarted by others,civilians,businessmen,government employees etc and not by the UK enforcement…even our Attorney General is bypassed .,We done..this is googly and we will pay a price.
TO KEEP THE ALLIANCE PARTY OUT
it is called maturity. they don’t have to agree on most things, but this is one to be on the same page with. This matter now is not political. Find something else to do.
The leader of the Alliance made it abundantly clear that he is not willing to pass laws to protect locals.
You come back with that lie again!!
many heard it. go sit down
Ayo heard I got beat down by a boy tot bulla?!?!
That’s news to March on! I still feeling the heat…need some donated water to cool me down..blows….
What our artlarge REP saying, no one voted for no president of no parties…
the only thing bvi stooge politrixers unite is this bullsh–.
police military is UK. facts
your murders unsolved
no water
missing millions
bad roads
no sewer treatment
housing shortage
food costs
last premier ports boss were drug runners . . .
and this temp move gets them yellin.
right there is proof they dont work
FOR THE PEOPLE!
WAKE THE FK UP
What has gone wrong in the UK Parliament and in the UK Prime Minister Office and in the UK Government concerning the British Virgin Islands? What has gone wrong with the peaceful and quiet fishing villages of the BVI? What has gone wrong with the economy of the BVI? What has gone wrong with the national security of the BVI?
DICTATORSHIP
Aka ) judge wiggie ,boi you always have to introduce your duplicitous narcissistic narratives just air out your dirty mindedness against walwyn and those you dislike / can’t you just play with your WIG and behave yourself ( and to think tomate you can be our Premier ) duhhhhh
W just jealous of M. Thats why he tried as hard as does to discredit him using his news site. The guy is sick in the head if ask me.
Beautiful Sherrie, should be my wife and plus she has the intelligence, but the only draw back she should stand up against natalio wrongs he is doing