Republic status without final court resolution 'sensible', Holness tells Diasporans

That was the word from Prime Minister, the Most Andrew Holness, in his Independence message to the Diaspora, read by Deputy Chief of Mission at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, Lishann Salmon, at the Emancipation and Independence church service held recently at the Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland.

“It is now time for us to end our historical ties with the monarchy and stand wholly on our own. We need a Jamaican Head of State who truly represents our values, culture, and aspirations and who will symbolise our full sovereignty,” he pointed out.

He noted that most Jamaicans would be in support of shedding allegiance to the monarchy, a relic of our colonial past.

“Constitutional Reform is a complex process and is best undertaken in phases. Should the apex court remain the Privy Council, or be the Caribbean Court of Justice? Or would full sovereignty dictate that our final court should be located right here in Jamaica? These are very important questions that need further consideration and consensus-building.

“Let us unite and move forward while we continue to debate and build consensus on the next steps,” the Prime Minister Holness urged.

Hundreds of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica turned out for the service marking the nation’s two signature anniversaries, which featured the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) awards to diaspora members for extraordinary contributions over many years.

Prime Minister Holness said that Constitutional reform is more than a legal necessity.

“It is an affirmation of our identity and our readiness to take complete control of our destiny. True independence is both political and economic. It means having control over our future and fostering an environment where local businesses can thrive, our youth can attain meaningful employment, and innovation and entrepreneurship are the bedrock of our economy,” he pointed out.

“This is why we have invested in education, skills training, technology, and sustainable industries to build a resilient economy capable of withstanding global shocks. Economic independence is crucial to the sustainability of our people and country,” he said, noting that “most Jamaicans would be in support of shedding allegiance to the monarchy, a relic of our colonial past.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that Jamaica’s national independence is of great significance and should be celebrated.

“Importantly, independence should also be a time for collective reflection on our history and journey, as well as on our goals and aspirations as a people. It should be a time to actively embrace and recommit to a vision of peace, productivity, and prosperity for the future,” he said.

Referencing this year’s independence theme: ‘One Love to the World,’ President of the Jamaica Union of Seventh-Day Adventists, Pastor Everett Brown, who delivered the sermon, urged Jamaicans “in our interactions with each other, in our service to each other, demonstrate our love for one another in practical and tangible ways.”

“We are more than a country known for our beautiful white sand beaches, our authentic reggae music and world class sport men and women. We are a people of character and compassion loving people.

“The love that we hope to share with the world has the capacity and the power to change and transform lives. Love can cauterize poverty, discrimination, corruption, crime, violence, conflicts, inequality and injustice just to name a few of the pressing social issues that pose a real existential threat to our sustainable development as a country,” he noted.

The Jamaica Diaspora 2024 DMV Award was presented to three individuals for outstanding contributions to the Jamaican community.

They are community stalwarts Carmen Edwards, Doreen Thompson and Linda Gatling, and Founder and Executive Producer of CaribNation TV, Larry Sindass.

The Friends of Jamaica Award went to Performing Artists Under the Lord (P.A.U.L.) for their dedication and performances at the Jamaican church services in Washington, DC, for over thirty years.

Proceeds from the church offering will be donated to the Black River Infirmary in St. Elizabeth, which suffered severe damage from Hurricane Beryl.