Friends,

There are so many reasons that I’m proud to be a Virgin Islander. Today is a reminder of one of those reasons.

Today, July 3rd, is Emancipation Day throughout the Virgin Islands.

In 1847, Denmark declared that slavery would be phased out over a 12-year period, beginning with newborn babies of enslaved women.

But this was far from enough for enslaved people.

Islanders in bondage refused to wait over a decade to gain their freedom. Many did not think they would live long enough to be free, so they organized amongst themselves, and prepared to take their freedom from their colonial oppressors.

On July 3rd, 1848, thousands of enslaved people rose up in St. Croix, and made their intentions very clear: either we’re freed, or we will die fighting for our freedom.

After several skirmishes and a recognition of the resolve and organization of the enslaved on the island, Denmark saw no other way to prevent an uprising of people willing to put everything on the line, and declared:

“All unfree in the Danish West Indies are from today free.”

My ancestors refused to be in bondage, it did not matter whether emancipation was coming, they demanded freedom now, and that is exactly what happened in July 1848.

There is a lot to be learned from our history.

By organizing and working together, we can take great strides toward justice and equality – BUT we must work together.

And so today, I encourage you to take a moment, and reflect on how today we can continue to work together to create a better world for every generation that comes after us.

Happy Emancipation Day, friends.

Rep. Stacey Plaskett