He made the remark as he and less than 10 persons waited in vain hoping that a sizeable crowd would turn up on Monday this week for a march on the Secretariat to demand a full public holiday for the birthday of Revolutionary Leader, Ronald Webster.

Thomas had been able to get the support of many persons during a radio call-in programme, last week, arguing that Monday’s school holiday approved by the House of Assembly last year should in fact be an all-encompassing national holiday.

It was with the assumed support of many callers and the influence they were likely to have on others that Thomas, and a few persons, went to the parking lot at the Webster Park on Sunday evening for the rally. However, by nightfall it did not materialise due to a lack of attendance.

Shirley Richardson and Yanchi waiting for meeting

Faithful to the cause, Thomas was at his position under the small tent sheltering the public address system again on Monday morning and was joined by several others including talk-show host and fellow agitator, Yanchie Richardson. It was arranged for Dame Dr. Bernice Lake, QC to deliver an address, as well as for other persons to speak before the march to the Secretariat.

After waiting for a long period of time and with no sign of a crowd build-up, and in the absence of live radio coverage, the speeches and the march were cancelled. Prior to that Yanchi Richardson was able to secure the services of WISTA in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands to broadcast a commentary in which popular radio personality, Eddie Ottley, recapped the story of the Anguilla Revolution, the role played by Mr. Webster and why the call was made for the protest which he said was then taking place.

Asked to comment on why the protest rally did occur, Thomas told The Anguillian: “I would say it came off because I am here and did what I had to do,” he replied. “It is the people of Anguilla who didn’t show up. That doesn’t deter me however.”

He continued: “We supposed to have had a couple of speeches: one by Dame Bernice Lake and the others by some volunteers. The Chief Minister [Osbourne Fleming] was supposed to speak to the people but he declined. We were supposed to march to his office but we are not worrying with that today.

“It is result of a lack of response by the people. I am ok, but I feel for the youth of this country. Our heroes fought in 1967 to free us from ‘slavery’ and it seems as if we want our young people to remain in ‘slavery.’ That’s why the people chose to stay home. They bluntly refuse to take part in this event although they see what is happening, but they can call the radio stations and make big statements. It is like throwing stones and hiding your hand.”

Percy was asked what further steps he would take.

“To tell you the truth from my heart, it is left to the people,” he said. “When they are ready to march, I will go along with them but for now I can’t say what my intentions are.”

Yanchie was just as blunt. “My thoughts are that Anguilla people are showing their real colours. I would say that Anguilla people do not stand for anything. I always say that Anguilla people throw stones and hide their hands.

“That is just a reflection of what happened here today and the night before. You had a few people, they came and went. People are just scared to be seen. You were here earlier and you heard how the radio station in St. Thomas, Eddie Ottley in particular, carried the whole thing and described what was happening in Anguilla. Then look what our people did…There are stalwarts here like Shirley [Richardson] and some other folks here that stood up, but the people of Anguilla don’t stand up for anything…

“So I would say that that the Government got what they wanted. Eddie Ottley said it best. It is either that the British Government has something on these folks or the British Government is the one stopping it. I believe [the national holiday] is something that should be done.

“Everybody feels that Ronald should be honoured. There is no rationale for it not to be done. But Anguilla people show their true colours. If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

Meanwhile, all public and private schools remained closed throughout Monday as teachers and students stayed at home for the holiday given to them by the Anguilla Government in recognition of Mr. Webster’s birthday.

One top education official in Anguilla expressed the view, last week, that there was something lacking about the holiday. The leading educator thought that provision should have been made for the children to go to the Webster Park to learn more about the Revolution and its heroes including Mr. Webster as well as to engage in various social activities. “It is a holiday and that’s it. We can’t call them out on the park,” the official said.

This view appears to be somewhat akin to the Commonwealth Day arrangement which is not a school holiday, but which provides an opportunity for children to learn about the British Commonwealth of Nations and the life, culture and contribution of the people who inhabit them.

Mr. Webster, 82, who was not told officially about the event by the organisers, stayed away from the area. He would not normally have put in an appearance, preferring to maintain his known low profile in such matters.

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