Protocol having been established, good morning! It is indeed a pleasure to be here with you celebrating this special day – the 54th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution, Anguilla Day 2021.
This Official Anguilla Day Ceremony, for a second year, is being held here at the Ministry of Finance instead of at the James Ronald Webster Park. The Covid-19 pandemic which the world is currently grappling with has caused us to change the way we live, the way we work, and to refocus the lens through which we see life in general. While today we celebrate the history of the 1967 Revolution, we must also recognise that our current unique circumstances have once again caused us to revolutionise our thoughts and our actions.
Our situation in Anguilla over the past 14 months has taught each of us how to move forward with intentionality – using the power of our minds to represent who we are and what we want to achieve – for ourselves and for Anguilla. As we did during the 1967 Anguilla Revolution, we as a people have once again been forced to tap into our creativity and our resourcefulness to overcome hardship. This is not unusual, however, as in the face of adversity, Anguillians have always been tenacious in seeking a better way of life.
Faced with the prospect of prolonged unemployment in recent times, many of our people have had to think outside the box and use their talent in creative ways to support themselves and their families. You only need to look around you to see the establishment of new small businesses over the past few months – from food stalls to catering to mobile beverage businesses, from cake making to hair braiding, from singing and rapping to young artists and musicians, the selling of shoes and apparel – the list goes on. Our people are not content to sit and allow disappointment to rule our lives. It is obvious that the fighting spirit of the Anguilla Revolution lives on in the hearts and minds of Anguillians today, young and old.
My positive outlook does not seek to ignore the reality that many persons across our island are facing difficulties during this time. Rather, it is to highlight the fact that with unity, togetherness and with the spirit of cooperation, we can continue to overcome any obstacle that is placed in our path to progress.
Fellow Anguillians, let us reflect on our past. Let us recognize the hard work, the strength and the willpower of our forebears who fought for this generation and the generations to come. But also, let each of us look towards the future and, today, commit to doing one thing to help move ourselves forward.
Let us commit to continuing to develop our island nation.
Let us commit to continuing to develop ourselves through training and education.
Let us commit to ensuring that our children are equipped with the educational tools needed to not only survive, but to thrive.
Let us commit to being innovative and progressive.
Let us commit to being our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
And let us re-commit to continuing to building a new Anguilla.
To quote the late Honourable James Ronald Webster, “[A]s a nation, we must move onwards and upwards.” It is therefore fitting that the theme for this Anguilla Day is – Intentionality, Commitment and Nothing Less! A Celebration of our Nation’s Progress!
Congratulations to our 2021 honorees for your contribution to Anguilla. It is fitting that we recognize and show appreciation to those of you who have selflessly assisted in the development of our island nation over the many years. We thank you.
Happy 54th Anniversary to all Anguillians at home at abroad! God Bless You.
