It is 51 years since the highpoint of the Anguilla Revolution, on May 30, 1967, when the people of the island expelled the St. Kitts police, the symbol of authority of the Central Government, and began running their own affairs. Now after reverting to direct rule by Britain, with its own Constitution and Ministerial System of Government, Anguillians have been told that its Revolution is not over.
The message came from Mr. Vance Amory who, unlike the 1967 leaders of Anguilla, attempted through a referendum, for Nevis to secede from St. Kitts but without success. The former Nevisian Premier of the Concerned Citizens Movement Political Party is now a Senior Minister in the St. Kitts-Nevis Government with responsibility for Labour, Social Security and Ecclesiastical Affairs. He was invited to Anguilla by Mr. Tim Hodge, Director of Social Security, to deliver this year’s Walter G. Hodge Memorial Anguilla Day Lecture. That lecture, entitled “The Revolution Continues…,” was delivered by Mr. Amory on Thursday evening, June 14, at the Social Security Parking Lot where a considerably large crowd was in attendance.
Mr. Amory, BA, MBA, began his discourse on Anguilla by looking briefly at the causes of its Revolution. He said in part: “Looking at the dissatisfaction with the Government of the day, the treatment which the people of Anguilla received, there were countless petitions made to the Government in Basseterre over the years. We too, in Nevis, had our petitions. We protested and spoke on many occasions about leaving the union but, in the case of Anguilla, I think the petitions were significantly more strident because of the total/near total neglect which the people of Anguilla experienced at the hand of the Central of Government of Basseterre.”
Having set the stage for his lecture, Mr. Amory, an academic and former educator, advised the people of Anguilla that they should: “Grasp the vision of the leaders of the Revolution to continue the path to accomplishing the objectives of the Revolution…We can say that one objective overrides all and that is – get rid of the oppressor and give our people a better chance for their future.”
He went on: “The dream of the leaders of the revolutionary movement, for a change, must continuously be discussed and shared and, even if it were modified, it must not be thrown out or be relegated to the realm of forgetfulness. You heard me speak of four or five persons who were able to access six form level education before 1967. How many are now benefitting from that today because of that revolutionary act? What is your enrolment at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School? Even that very simple statistic would indicate to you that here was an act that changed the fortunes of the people of this small developing country for the better.”
Mr. Amory spoke about “the changing of the guard” in Anguilla over the years to carry out the original vision of the island’s revolution. “Social Security has become a willing partner with the Anguilla Community College to sponsor the discussion year after year,” he stated. “If you are not willing to discuss ideas, to refine ideas and to determine policy which will benefit the lives of the people, on whose behalf the Revolution was created and implemented, then you would have failed in the responsibility to carry on the vision so that the Revolution continues.”
He stressed that while experiencing and surmounting varied challenges facing Anguilla, there was a need for the people of the island “to reflect on the fathers of your Revolution” and the need “to ensure that the Revolution continues.”
Mr. Amory further stated that in order to ensure that the Revolution continues the people of the island, the Government and investors must pool their resources together to create jobs and other opportunities for Anguillians. He warned against negative influences or actions that could harm the intent of the Revolution.
He praised the Anguilla Social Security system for playing an extremely important role in building a new Anguilla which the late Mr. Ronald Webster, and his band of pioneers, set out to do in 1967. He said his lecture on “the Revolution Continues” was intended, like the Revolution, “to elevate the people of Anguilla, their dignity and pride and to continue to be a resilient people even with the challenges facing them.” Mr. Amory added: “May I say to you: do not give up the dream and the vision which your revolutionary fathers left for you.”
The opening remarks for the lecture were delivered by Mr. Tim Hodge, Director of Social Security, who was pleased that Mr. Amory, whom he knew for many years, had agreed to deliver the lecture. Dr. Karl Dawson, President of the Anguilla Community College, introduced the speaker and spoke about the partnership between the Social Security Board and the College in presenting the Walter G. Hodge Memorial Anguilla Day lecture over the years. The lecturer was presented with a token of appreciation by Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, Miss Anguilla/Social Security 2017-2018. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. Quincy Harrigan, Acting Dean of Studies, Anguilla Community College; and the Chairperson of the proceedings was Ms. Rosanna Browne, Public Relations Officer, Social Security.
