PM Terrance Drew addresses 88th Anniversary of the Buckley’s Uprising

St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew extended gratitude to the Rastafari Nyabinghi Theocracy Order for the invitation to speak at this historical remembrance event, the 88th Anniversary of the Buckley’s Uprising, on January 28, 2023, in St Kitts and Nevis. 

He had the privilege of meeting with various executive members of the Order earlier this month, and they shared with him several initiatives they wish to implement in the coming months and beyond.

“I am quite impressed by the plans and projects the Order has in the pipeline, and I am looking forward to working with the organization to assist in implementing some of these initiatives, “said the prime minister. 

PM Terrance Drew added that Rastafari Nyabinghi Theocracy Order had worked relentlessly over the years to preserve the memory of Buckley’s Uprising by holding an annual event on January 28. He must applaud their faithfulness and commitment to the acknowledgement and recognition of this significant period in his history.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is aptly chosen. “Recognizing, Embracing, Restoring, and Preserving the Legacy of Our Martyrs of the Buckley’s Uprising 1935”.

PM Terrance Drew asserted that it is imperative that we never forget the sacrifices of the ancestors and the efforts made to advance their twin-island Federation. 

“The 1935 Buckley’s Uprising is a significant part of our nation’s history. Many of our ancestors were deeply affected by the harsh and unfair treatment of working in the sugar estates, where they were overworked and severely underpaid, “said the prime minister. 

He added that the names of Thomas Manchester, Victor John, Edgar Challenger, J.M. Sebastian, W.A.H. Seaton, Joseph Nathan, and Clement Malone had been cited as persons whose work led to a distinct transition from violent protests to the establishment of representative bodies for the working class and paved the way for the Workers’ League which was the forerunner to what is now known today as the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.

It is the same mindset and foundational principles that guided our predecessors that have now guided our current SKNLP administration to allot 1.57 acres of land for the construction of Buckley’s Uprising Monument Park. It is a long overdue recognition of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. Apart from a billboard mounted upon entering Buckley’s, there is nothing to remind and educate persons of this pivotal moment in history.

While appreciating Labour Party, he mentioned that the Labour Party administration has also approved the establishment of a Buckley’s Uprising Monument Park Committee to oversee the design and construction of the monument park honouring the sacrifices and memories of the fallen heroes who helped St Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the Caribbean Region achieve democracy.

We must never forget the lives of these heroes:

o Joseph Samuel

o John Allen; and

o James Archibald

Who died in that significant period. As well as those who were injured…

o Alfred Rogers

o Cyril Tyson

o Samuel Woodley

o William Fowle

o Ellsworth Selkridge

o Charles Moving

o Olive Allen

o Virginia Greaux; and

o Joseph Williams

He added that three of the demonstrators were imprisoned here in St Kitts and Nevis and unfortunately, their names were never recovered, and two were transported to Antigua and Barbuda to serve time there, Simeon Prince and Thomas Fergus.

“The Rastafari Nyabinghi Theocracy Order and Buckley’s Uprising Committee continue to do tremendous work over the years to preserve this rich part of our nation’s history, “said the prime minister.