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Co-Presidents Neil Weare and Adi Martínez Román of the newly-formed advocacy group, Right to Democracy, have announced their plans to launch a series of outreach events in the U.S. Virgin Islands next week. The organization, focused on challenging the colonial framework governing U.S. territories, is inviting the public and press to these events, which will serve as platforms to share their new approach.
The group is commencing its journey on June 20th in St. John, followed by events in St. Thomas on June 21st, and finally in St. Croix on June 23rd. Weare and Martínez Román are also scheduled to speak at the Virgin Islands Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting in St. Croix on June 22nd.
“I am looking forward to understanding how the U.S. Virgin Islands communities are impacted by the unequal political relationship the United States shares with each of its territories,” said Martínez Román, who formerly led community-based organizations in Puerto Rico before co-founding Right to Democracy.
Weare, a native of Guam and former leader of Equally American, shares the same passion for confronting the colonial framework. He expressed, "Every time I meet with friends and colleagues in the Virgin Islands, I am invigorated with fresh ideas to challenge the undemocratic colonial system that unfortunately continues to govern the Virgin Islands and other territories."
Right to Democracy's primary goal is to address and dismantle the colonial framework affecting 3.6 million people in U.S. territories, of whom 98% are people of color. The organization envisions that individuals in U.S. territories should have power and agency over decisions that impact their lives, advocating for no colonies or second-class citizens in the United States.
Each event, set to offer drinks and light appetizers, will be held at the following locations:
- St. John: Tuesday, June 20, 5:30-7:30pm at Bajo el Sol Gallery, Cruz Bay.
- St. Thomas: Wednesday, June 21, 5:30-7:30pm at Villa Santana, Charlotte Amalie.
- St. Croix: Friday, June 23, 5:30-7:30pm, Caribbean Museum of Arts in Frederiksted.
Furthermore, they will present on the Law of U.S. Territories: Disaster Resilience and Recovery at the Virgin Islands Bar Association’s 2023 Mid-Year Meeting, at the Carambola Beach Resort.
The advisory board of Right to Democracy includes figures such as former Virgin Islands Congresswoman Donna Christensen and former Virgin Islands Bar President Nesha Christian-Hendrickson. Both envision a future where the people of U.S. territories have a say in the decisions that impact their lives and are excited about the new approach to challenging the Supreme Court’s Insular Cases.
As part of its initiative, Right to Democracy is hiring a Virgin Islands Community Director to lead its outreach and engagement in the U.S. Virgin Islands and facilitate a series of structured community dialogues throughout the region this summer.
For more details about the events and job positions, visit righttodemocracy.us or send inquiries to [email protected].
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