On Emancipation Day 2025, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre delivered an address that went beyond remembrance to tackle one of the nation’s most urgent challenges: the rise of violence and crime among Saint Lucia’s youth. In a stirring message, he called for a renewed sense of dignity, peace, and respect for life, warning that the freedoms won through emancipation must not be undone by cycles of brutality.
Reflecting on the 191 years since slavery’s abolition, Pierre acknowledged the resilience of African descendants in overcoming the trauma of enslavement. Yet he noted that “the legacy of slavery has left its scars, scars of self-hate and inferiority.” He cautioned that these lingering wounds are evident today in young people “looking for a sense of identity and affirmation, and are turning to gangs and violence.”
Addressing the youth directly, the Prime Minister’s words were unflinching: “I say to young people, the violence and brutality of slavery have been abolished. The abolition of slavery has provided a new freedom, which calls upon you to respect human life and be productive citizens. Let us not return to killings and brutality as a means of settling conflict. We must appreciate and respect human life and teach our children to do likewise.”
His remarks struck at the heart of a grave national concern, as Saint Lucia grapples with gang-related crime that threatens community safety and social cohesion. Framing the fight against violence as a continuation of the emancipation struggle, Pierre declared: “As a peace-loving people, human life must be valued and respected. The dignity and human rights of all must be respected regardless of colour, creed or gender.”
While crime reduction formed a great part of his address, Pierre also tied the call for peace to the nation’s broader cultural and economic aspirations. He highlighted steps to strengthen identity and pride, including integrating African studies into the secondary school curriculum and deepening ties with the African continent. Recalling the AfriCaribbean Trade & Investment Forum in Grenada, he noted: “The African continent, with its huge population, is expected to grow to 1.5 billion by 2050, offering exciting market opportunities for our nation. We must, therefore, position ourselves to make the most of it.”
Closing his remarks, Pierre saluted the poets, writers, drummers, and Rastafarian community who have kept African heritage alive, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to Emancipation Day as a month-long celebration. But his message to the youth was clear: the true meaning of freedom lies not just in heritage, but in rejecting violence and embracing the dignity of human life.