Confused motorists took a detour around the crowd that gathered Tuesday 
in front of the Sunday Morning Well on Main Street. One hundred and seventy eight years ago, a similar crowd gathered at the same spot for a reading of the newly passed Emancipation Proclamation, which marked the end of slavery in the territory.
“This emancipation ceremony is sacred and symbolic,” Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said, addressing a crowd of roughly 100. “It reflects a connected people. And these celebrations assure that the lessons of the past remains fresh in our hearts.”
After reminding speakers to keep to the theme and “avoid campaigning,” Dr. Melville Turnbell, who moderated the event, turned the microphone over to several local officials: Acting Governor Inez Archibald, Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn, Dr. Smith, and Minister of Communications and Works Mark Vanterpool. A wide range of topics were covered in the brief remarks, from keeping youths out of trouble to becoming an independent nation from the United Kingdom.
“Today we celebrate 178 years since the emancipation of slavery,” Mr Vanterpool said. “Yet, today, ladies and gentleman, our destiny is still shaped, managed and controlled by our colonists, the United Kingdom, with whom we have great respect. But the conversation must begin.”
The final speaker was Dr. H. Beecher Hicks Jr., a social rights activist and Baptist preacher from the United States. He touched on themes of slavery and freedom in his Sunday afternoon sermon.
“My Bible tells me something: it tells me that the sun has set you free, and you are free indeed,” Dr. Hicks said, stirring up several “Amen’s” from the crowd. “So I came to tell you this afternoon that whatever you do in these islands don’t give up.”
See the Aug. 16, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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