Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 27, 2023 (ZIZ News)–The Nyabinghi Theocracy Order has formulated a number of initiatives that will recognize and commemorate the Buckley’s Uprising in the Federation.
This was revealed by Member of the Order, Ras I-Trus during a recent interview with ZIZ News.
He explained that they have established five pillars that they are hoping to implement for the commemoration of the Buckley’s Uprising, one of which is to recognize the day the uprising took place as a national holiday.
He said, “We formulated five pillars that we wanted to really move forward with the Buckley’s Uprising, these pillars being one, we looking for the land that was sold to the business owner in the area to be repossessed in the name of the uprising so that we can use that area to establish the Buckley’s Memorial Park, that’s one.
He continued, “Two, we are also looking to have the day being recognized as a national holiday. Three. We are hoping for, the martyrs who were sacrificed, who lost their lives, who were injured to be recognized as national heroes because if it wasn’t for their sacrifice at that time, the journey for us to become independent would’ve still never been materialized.”
Ras I-Trus added that another pillar is to get the story of the Buckley’s Uprising added to the curriculum in schools as it is a part of St. Kitts and Nevis’ history.
“Also, we would hope that the story be taught in the school and will be made part of the curriculum because it’s not a rasta thing, but it’s our history and the Buckley’s Uprising is what led to a lot of the Caribbean islands becoming independent. So because of this uprising here in St. Kitts, it’s spread throughout the region sparking other uprisings and eventually movements towards independence. So it is critical that this be taught in the schools, so our generations to come will have an idea of whence we came within the context of Saint Kitts and Nevis.”
He said he hopes these pillars will gain the support of the general public and the government.
The Buckley’s Uprising took place on January 28th, 1935 when sugar workers rose up against their employers after they were denied fair wages.
The Uprising in St. Kitts helped to spark labor riots in other Caribbean countries and ushered in an era of social change.