Senators Call For Activation of Civil Rights Commission in USVI to Address Discrimination

Some senators who make up the Committee on Education Workforce and Development want to see the Commission on Civil Rights become functional because of the role they say it must play in tracking matters of discrimination against people in the Virgin Islands.

Senator Milton Potter made the call to activate the commission while debating an Act during a hearing Tuesday related to hair and racial discrimination. Senator Genevieve Whitaker also voiced her support.

“It’s not operating for 15 to 20 years; the governor needs to send the names for the Senate to approve the people for this commission,” Mr. Potter said while expressing the view that data about acts of discrimination would be easily accessible if the commission was functional.

The law governing the Commission on Civil Rights says the commission must be composed of seven members who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature. Membership on the commission shall represent the pluralistic nature of U.S. Virgin Islands, the law says.