In a display of statesmanship and humility, Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, has apologised to persons in a protest march, a week ago, if they felt offended by remarks he made in a radio broadcast. He made the statement on Anguilla Day, Monday, May 30, 2016 which he described as a time for healing.
The protesters first demonstrated on Monday, May 23, when they handed him a petition against the banking resolution and demanded a reply by Wednesday, May 25. On May 24, the Chief Minister delivered a radio broadcast in connection with the matter. The protesters took offence to some of what he said and returned on Friday, May 27, demanding an apology.
Cheered on by supporters at the Anguilla Day Parade, Mr. Banks said in an emotional and broken voice: “Over the last week, I made a broadcast on Radio Anguilla in response to some of my people who were exercising their right to express their views freely in our democracy. A number of them have considered my remarks insulting and as a consequence requiring an apology. While my comments were not intended to be disrespectful, it can happen that things we say can be taken the wrong way and hurt others.
“Everytime I attend St. Mary’s, I am moved whenever they sing the hymn Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin with me. And since Anguilla Day is a day for healing – and not for salting wounds – I would like to reach across the divide of misunderstanding and say to those persons, who may have genuinely felt hurt by my comments, that I take this occasion on the 49th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution, and Anguilla Day, to offer my humble apology (applause) for any pain you may have suffered as a consequence of my comments.
“I am happy to allow this overture of peace to begin with me. Let me take this opportunity to encourage all Anguillians to allow the peace we require to make Anguilla ‘a Nation proud, strong and free’. Let it begin in their hearts (applause). Have a happy and joyous Anguilla Day; and May God bless all of you and may God bless Anguilla.”
Mr. Banks called on the Rt. Reverend Errol Brooks, all members of the House of Assembly, and members of the Clergy, to stand with him “as the Bishop assists us in rendering the song: Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin with me.”
