Posthumous Pardon Granted To Reverend Monk
[Updated] Governor John Rankin has granted a posthumous pardon to the Reverend Charles Vinton Monk in accordance with Section 22 of the Constitution.
“The Reverend Monk was convicted, imprisoned and fined in 1903 for publishing an article in the press on the living and working conditions of Jamaican nationals employed to work at the dockyard in Bermuda. An account of the Reverend Monk’s trial was given in the book ‘Freedom Fighters’ by the late Ira Philip,” the Government noted.
Governor John Rankin said, “Posthumous pardons are only granted in the most exceptional of cases. After careful consideration, I am satisfied however that in exercising his freedom of expression, the Reverend Monk was seeking to serve the public interest. That fact, together with the likely truth of what he wrote and the evident procedural irregularities in the trial, justify the grant of a pardon in this instance.
“This is an historical case and we can recognise today that the act for which the Reverend Monk was convicted was an act of courage in drawing attention to the unacceptable working conditions to which the Jamaican nationals in Bermuda were being subjected. Today is an opportunity to acknowledge Reverend Monk’s work in seeking to remove an injustice which was then taking place.”
Update 6.30pm: “A significant and historic decision,” said Premier David Burt today reflecting on the news of the Governor’s grant of a posthumous pardon for the late Rev. Charles Vinton Monk.
The Premier continued, “The injustice of Rev. Monk’s trial and the actual injustice he was determined to expose make this decision a landmark recognition of the importance of the rights of workers and of a free, responsible media.”
“Advising that he would make a statement to the House of Assembly on Friday, the Premier said: “Today the legacy of a tireless journalist shines even brighter … the late Ira Philip recorded this story and his work has been proven invaluable. Rev. Nicholas Tweed renewed the call for justice and reminded us all, as I told the House last year, ‘it is never too late to do the right thing’.”
Well done!
Thank you to my Hon. Premier David Burt for making this request. We are thankful!
We appreciate you!
Burt did absolutely NOTHING on this lmfao….
Good gesture Governor! You’re a remarkable person! I have the utmost respect for you which just went up several notches!!!
The governor did what was requested , it was not of his own volition .
Excellent!
Thank you, Governor.
That was magnificent of you!!
Good to hear, now lets talk REPARATIONS.
lets talk sense not withstanding you however would not qualify
All of the past evil that was done to my people (and present), will be repaid one way or another.
You sound like Mitch Mcconnell.
What do you think your share would be? Would you stop sitting on a wall half the day if you got reparations? Would you stop hating?
You just want free money. Typical. Get off your fat a$$ and work like everyone else.
I hear you, Onion Juice.
Nope!!
Millions of them enjoying their evil-earned money off of our backs!!!
How much would be reasonable bra?
An important historic Pardon.
Thank you for your persistence Premier Burt.
Now please cut down the traveling; across the board. Optics are important, too.
Better never late! What lesson will be learnt from this, and will it affect any change for people who have convictions for possession of a plant?