Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. released the following statement recognizing the 1878 labor revolt on St. Croix known as Fireburn:
“More than 140 years ago, the slaves on St. Croix began the battle for their freedom when they rose up and demanded justice from the plantation owners. Their freedom was short-lived because of the contracts they were forced to sign, but those first demands began the journey to fair labor practices and brought the territory to the active economy and workers’ rights that we enjoy today.
“As the Bryan-Roach Administration continues its march toward a more robust workforce and a better quality of life for all residents in our community, let us not forget where it started and how far as a people and as Virgin Islanders we have come.”
