Tue UNITED STATES VirGIN ISLANDS



OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

GOVERNMENT HOUSE



Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 00802

340-774-0001



VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL CARIBBEAN AMERICAN

HERITAGE MONTH

AND VIRGIN ISLANDS FREEDOM WEEK 2019



SHKREEEEEEEE



BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE

UNITED STATES



EXEEEKKAESES



A PROCLAMATION



The Virgin Islands of the United States continues to contribute to the historic heritage

narratives, honorable achievements of excellence, cultural legacy quests and self-determination

liberties with its’ unique diverse representation of the people, culture, heritage, technology and

spirit of the Virgin Islands Caribbean Americas that complement annual observances in June of

National Caribbean American Heritage Month and Virgin Islands Freedom Week from June 26th

to July 3rd, 2019.



The annual June observance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month is designated

for commemorations, recognitions and celebrations for people of Caribbean ancestry in the Virgin

Islands, Caribbean Americas and globally to reaffirm their multicultural ties with Caribbeanisms.

Respect and recognition are encouraged of ancestral traditions and heritages of the Caribbean

Americas inclusive yet not limited to influences of Indigenous African, European, Asian and other

cultural legacies within the Virgin Islands Caribbean Americas and beyond.



Many of our Caribbean ancestors were living as free and self-determined citizens in

democratically ruled nations before Europeans came to Africa. Our African ancestors knew from

their oral and written documentation the accomplishments of African People through the African

continent and elsewhere in the fields of navigation, science, astronomy, math, medicine, masonry,

and philosophy.



Our Caribbean ancestors fought for their freedom from the time they were captured and

never stopped planning organizing, and fighting; whether overtly or covertly. Our ancestors were

treated harshly on plantations, where some of the worst atrocities known to man or woman

occurred, while the treasuries of Denmark, England, France, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Germany,

Italy and Portugal benefitted from their free labor.


Proclamation — Virgin Islands Freedom Week 2019



Page 3



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the



Government of the Virgin Is



ds of the United States to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St.



Thomas, Virgin Islands, this



y of June, 2019. A.D.



Governor