Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has declared that the work of emancipation remains unfinished, using his Emancipation Day address to call for greater economic opportunity, food security, energy independence and reparatory justice across Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
Addressing the nation on Friday night, Pierre said Emancipation Day should be viewed as more than a commemoration of the abolition of slavery, describing it as “a sacred reminder of where we have come from,” of what has been overcome and of the work that still lies ahead.
Paying tribute to the women, men and children who endured slavery, the Prime Minister said their resilience, courage and determination laid the foundation for the freedoms Caribbean people enjoy today. He reminded citizens that freedom was never given to their ancestors but was demanded, fought for and won through sacrifice, courage and an unbreakable faith.
Pierre argued that while slavery ended, injustice did not, noting that formerly enslaved people entered freedom “without land, without wealth, without compensation, without opportunity,” while many who benefited from their labour were rewarded. Although history cannot be changed, he said it must be understood if Caribbean societies are to build a more just and equitable future.
Describing the Caribbean’s history as one shaped by the dispossession of Indigenous peoples, African enslavement, indentureship and colonial rule, Pierre said the region’s defining legacy is one of resilience. Despite centuries of oppression, he said Caribbean people built nations, strengthened democracies and created music, literature and cultures that continue to influence the world.
The Prime Minister said the next stage of emancipation must focus on achieving economic freedom, arguing that Caribbean people deserve greater opportunity, ownership and prosperity. He called for stronger support for entrepreneurs, farmers, fishers and manufacturers, saying the region must build economies where wealth is created rather than simply consumed.
Youth development, he said, must also remain at the centre of national policy. Pierre urged governments to equip young people with the education, technological skills and entrepreneurial opportunities needed to innovate, lead and contribute meaningfully to national development while pursuing successful futures at home.
He also identified food security and energy independence as essential components of the region’s development agenda, arguing that supporting local agriculture and investing in affordable, reliable and cleaner energy would strengthen economies, create jobs and reduce the cost of living.
Turning to the issue of reparations, Pierre reaffirmed the Caribbean’s commitment to pursuing reparatory justice, saying the movement is “not about blame” or revenge but about truth and justice for the human suffering caused by slavery.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging Saint Lucians and the wider CARICOM community to honour the sacrifices of previous generations by building societies that are more united, equitable and prosperous. He said the true measure of freedom lies not only in remembering the struggles of the past, but in the choices made today to create a future worthy of those who fought for emancipation.
As Saint Lucia joined the rest of the Caribbean in observing Emancipation Day, Pierre called on citizens to continue what he described as the unfinished journey from emancipation to justice, prosperity and lasting freedom.
