Executive Order

Executive Order

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 522-2022
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
TO ESTABLISH THE 175th EMANCIPATION COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, in 1673, the Danish West India Company was a participant in the transAtlantic slave trade, uprooted enslaved people from their native lands, and forced them to work under inhumane conditions in the Danish West Indies colony (Den Danske Vest India) in what is now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands; and

WHEREAS, the people enslaved in the Caribbean, including in what is now the United States Virgin Islands, organized several large revolts over multiple years, which led the Danish government to propose a gradual end to enslavement in the Danish West Indies; and

WHEREAS, formerly enslaved John Gottlieb, known as "General Buddhoe," along with Martin King, organized a gathering in Frederiksted on the morning of July 3, 1848 and upon the blowing of a conch shell, the enslaved, and formerly-enslaved people of St. Croix took possession of Fort Frederik and demanded that those enslaved be immediately declared free; and

WHEREAS, within hours of the July 3, 1848 revolt and demand for freedom, then Governor Peter von Scholten declared that slavery in the Danish West Indies was officially abolished, thereby emancipating all enslaved people in the Danish West Indies which carried over to the subsequent purchase of the Danish West Indies by the United States of America in 1917; and

WHEREAS, Slavery in the Danish West Indian Islands was officially abolished seventeen years before slavery was abolished in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the United States Virgin Islands celebrates Emancipation Day each July 3rd as a commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the Danish West Indies; and

WHEREAS, July 3rd is a recognized Territorial Holiday in the U.S. Virgin Islands pursuant to 1 V .I. Code Section 171; and

WHEREAS, Virgin Islands culture and heritage preservation are critical to its evolution. and it is important to honor and recognize historic contributions of Virgin Islanders; and

WHEREAS, July 3, 2023, will mark 175 years since Emancipation in the former Danish West Indies and is an appropriate time to reflect upon the history and development of the Territory since that time and give respect to our forebears and the brave actions they undertook on that date.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby ORDER:

SECTION 1. There is established within the Office of the Governor, the 175111E mancipation Commemoration Committee.

SECTION 2. The purpose of the 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee ("Committee") is to commemorate the 175th anniversary with programs that inspire Virgin Islanders to renew and strengthen their daring and dynamic experience in democracy. The Committee is charged with continuing to memorialize the lives of the enslaved in the Danish West Indies and the journey of Virgin Islanders after 1848. The committee will promote and educate the VI community on the history of Emancipation and the evolution of labor rights and political rights under the US Flag.

SECTION 3. The 1751h Emancipation Commemoration Committee will meet regularly until at least July 2023 to organize and lead the celebrations of Emancipation Day. The Committee will plan and implement events, programs, and the official commemoration ceremony over the course of the 175111 Anniversary Celebration Year of 2023. This will include activities throughout the schools, storytelling, art competitions, oratorical contests, displays, and tours throughout the islands. The Committee members will act on a voluntary basis; however, the events coordinated by the Committee will be funded through the Office of the Governor.

SECTION 4. The Committee will work collaboratively with the St. Thomas Historical Trust, the St. Croix Landmarks Society, the St. John Historic Society, the Council on the Arts, Crucian Heritage & Nature Tourism ("CHANT"), the Historic Preservation Commission, the Festivals Division of the Department of Tourism, and other organizations that promote and preserve the Virgin Islands' heritage and traditions.

SECTION 5. The Committee will form sub-committees with specific responsibilities to accomplish established goals. Sub-committees will be chaired by committee members and may include non-committee participants.

SECTION 6. Membership of the 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee shall be comprised in accordance with the following.

(a) The initial members of the 175111 Emancipation Commemoration Committee shall be:

• Honorable Carol M. Burke, Chairwoman
• Teri Helenese
• Honorable Myron Jackson
• Maureen Burke-Ventura
• Khnuma Simmonds
• Jelani Ritter
• Akeem McIntosh
• Honorable Carla Joseph
• Jamila Russell

(b) Additional members may be appointed by the Governor upon his own determination or upon request of the Committee.

(c) Any member may resign upon submission of written notice to the Governor.

(d) The terms of office of members shall commence upon date of appointment by the Governor and continue through December 31, 2023.

(e) The Honorary Members (Posthumous) shall be known as "Keepers of the Flames." These members shall be named by the Committee.

SECTION 7. The Committee shall determine a budget for the planned events and shall present a budget to the Governor for funding, in his discretion. The Committee may engage a paid Executive Director and consultants to assist in preparation and production of events.

SECTION 8. All Departments and Agencies and Instrumentalities of the Government of the Virgin Islands are directed to cooperate fully with the Committee, as need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto executed this Executive Order by setting my hand and causing the Seal of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to be affixed at Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, this 1st day of July, A.D., 2022.

Signed July 1, 2022 by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and attested by Lt. Governor Tregenza A. Roach Esq.