Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Under the theme, "Emancipation from within, the Voice of Our People," Emancipation was observed yesterday, July 1st.
The day started with a reenactment of Diamond Hill Estate run at 12 mid night marking the official of the day. However, the day climaxed with several activities at the Emilio Wilson Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Those activities include among others, speeches by government officials.
Prior to this, several drums bands dressed in their attire, including Generation New Status marched from Marigot Hill to the park.
It was the 4th time that residents had the opportunity to officially observe the day as a holiday.
On hand for the occasion at the Emilio Wilson Park were among others, Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs, the Minister of Culture, the Honorable Rita Bourne-Gumbs and the Governor, His Excellency Drs. Eugene Holiday.
The activities at the park were hosted by the Voices Foundation, of which Esther Illis is the founder and president. In addressing the many persons on hand for the occasion, she dedicated the day to our ancestors.
His Excellency Governor Drs. Eugene Holiday spoke of the significance of the celebration of the day. Whilst addressing the gathering, he spoke of the need for persons to emancipate themselves.
According to him, it is essential that we as a people we must channel our freedom to be the best that we can be as a nation. He remarked: "the voice of emancipation rang loud in the hearts and soul of our forefathers, because they knew that their imposed circumstance was no reflection of who they were, and what they could be.
As a result they were unrelenting in their struggle to be free from the brutal system of slavery, based on the difference in the color of their skin".
Meanwhile with the quote, "We come together today to celebrate free. Freedom from the oppressive system that saw people rob of their homeland their family, their dignity and in extreme cases their lives," Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs addressed the Emancipation Day activities attendies on Wednesday afternoon.
During his address, he also noted that the historic Trans Atlantic Slave Trade binds St. Maarten with all its Kingdom partners. Also speaking at the celebrations of Emancipation Day yesterday, Minister with the responsibility for Culture, the Honorable Rita Bourne-Gumbs spoke of the qualities that our ancestors possessed.
However President of Parliament, the Honorable Dr. Lloyd Richardson who was also at the Emilio Wilson Park on the occasion of the celebration of Emancipation Day yesterday told us that a lot more can be done in observation of the day.
The various speakers can now be heard via PodCast.
