Government

St. Thomians Turn Out In Massive Numbers For Protest Against Sin Tax Bill

ST. THOMAS -- A protest in St. Thomas near the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall this morning has placed into perspective the strong opposition that Governor Kenneth Mapp's sin tax measure -- which is being heard today in the Committee on Finance -- is facing from the Virgin Islands community. A massive crowd lined both sides of the road near the Legislature, demanding that senators vote against the sin taxes, which aims to either introduce or raise taxes on rum, beer, tobacco and sugary drinks, as well as internet purchases and timeshare unit owners. In unison, the crowd, many of them business owners, shouted, "No more taxes!" They held up multiple signs with all sorts of writings, including, "legalize it," referring to the legalization of marijuana in the territory, "Bring in summer cruise traffic," relative to more cruise ships during summer months in St. Thomas, the territory's main tourism hub. And another that read, "No wasteful spending, no borrowing and no new taxes." T...