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HomeNewsArchivesFYI: Sen. Berry Calls on V.I. to Remember Freedom Fighters

FYI: Sen. Berry Calls on V.I. to Remember Freedom Fighters

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July 1, 2006 – Senate President Lorraine L. Berry today extends congratulations to the History, Culture and Tradition Foundation, Inc. for continuing to honor and celebrate the spirit of our ancestors past as we commemorate the 158th Anniversary Celebration of Emancipation Day on July 3rd, 2006, and the 230th
Anniversary of Independence Day on July 4th, 2006. Senator Berry said that it is extremely important to continue to highlight and showcase St. Croix's rich history, and traditions, and bring to life this important day in Virgin Islands history.
This annual celebration of the struggles of our historic freedom fighters must be a constant reminder to all Virgin Islanders of their struggles for equality, freedom, and hope for future generations of our people. We must never forget that historic period in our history in 1848, when Governor General Peter Von Scholten appeared in Fort Frederik, and declared, "From this day onward, all unfree in the Danish West Indies are today free."
Senator Berry stated. As the only female member of the Twenty-Sixth Legislature, it is important to acknowledge the important role played by those brave and determined Queens Mary, Agnes and Matilda. They have been true inspirations to generations of Caribbean women and taught us that oppression and injustice must be countered with courage and conviction, Berry said.
This annual cultural celebration has been a uniting force for the people of the Virgin Islands over a century and a half. The re-enactment of the Emancipation Day Proclamation of 1848 in Santa Cruz, Danish West Indies is our constant reminder of the sacrifices of our people, especially women, who stood up to the establishment, and dared to be heard. Today, they have left us their blueprint for "freedom" and in the words of Paul in Corinthians, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom."
The Virgin Islands community is eternally grateful for the "moral revolution" that raised the consciousness of our people, and put an end to economic and human oppression. We must be committed to creating and cultivating a new generation of Virgin Islanders who will carry on the legacy of the freedom fighters who taught us that, to survive, we must be the masters of our own destiny, and the engineers of our economy.
Berry said, "As we remember the struggles of our ancestors, let us also remember the struggles of Americans as they fought for the Independence of the United States of America. Today, as our men and women in uniform defend this great nation, and its freedoms across the globe, let us keep them in our constant prayers, that God's mercy and peace may be with them at this critical time. Berry concluded.

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