The United Progressive Party (UPP) chose not to attend the official VC Bird Day activity hosted by the government and instead held its own celebration to honor the nation’s heroes.
The alternative event featured citations, presentations, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the resting places and monuments of those whose sacrifices and service have left an indelible mark on Antigua and Barbuda’s history.
In a statement shared online, the UPP emphasized the significance of recognizing the legacy and contributions of national heroes, describing them as “exemplary citizens” who serve as icons and role models for current and future generations. The ceremony underscored the party’s commitment to acknowledging the nation’s heritage under the banner of its “People First” philosophy.
The government-hosted event, which traditionally includes tributes to the late Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, Antigua and Barbuda’s first Prime Minister and National Hero, saw the absence of UPP representatives.
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Always an excuse for. hosting a circus!! Poor fools!!
What a bunch of comedians. Crazy with all that Pringle will win the one UPP safe seat
wow. this is almsot like a form of disrespect towards the late Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, KNH. Yes you want to celebrate all heros of the nation but this specific day was dated October 26th. I hope the ABLP tap into this. the UPP should never thought of doing this. this is out of the whole days celebration.
All am seeing in this photo is Badminded people!! For whatever reason you all just DON’T love your own people period!!
Politics is in everything if there’s a special day for vc so be it but what about the other heroes make a special day of celebrations for them too.. Anything politics touches gets spoiled
We don’t want no Bird holiday. We already have heroes day. From King Court to Sir George we salute all our national heroes.
@Stone
Heroes Day was already celebrated earlier this year.
First a d formost I’m am against this ongoing boycott year after year which bares no fruit. I am not an ABLp supporter but a citizen with an open mind. The designation of V.C. Bird day was passed in parliament and is on the books. Let it be. Quite frankly the Rite Honorable have done a yoemans service to the country as the first Cheif Minister, the first Premier, and the first Prime Minister after leading the country to Political Independence in 1981. If you want a separate day to honor your National Heroes table an agenda in Parliament for debate to be held on the day that Columbus discovered the country ( quote on quote). I am quite sure that you would get partisan support from all sitting members. It is time to stop the foolishness of these unnecessary boycotts. Strengthen the party and become a Viable Opposition if you are serious about becoming the ruling government at the next general election. The in fighting and back stabbing has to end. The party is imploding and members are jumping ship like they are on the Titanic. I. Closing myself and my family are strong UPP supporters, but the way you guys are behaving that may not be for long.
@Jude. When u guys speak like this, it’s easy to see ur loyalty. No one is stupid. One big duty chupz bout ur family supportsUPP.
VC Bird day was a holiday celebrated for all national heroes here in Antugua. It was reverse when this administration took office in 2014. Oh how short our memory is. The 26th October where they placed National heroes is forgotten by even those who made it law. Everything in Antigua is so damn political that’s y we r so divided n d dam country stagnant. When r we gonna think Country First?. Antiguans need fu tap play dumb n wise them A$$ u!!!
@Cesaar…. Your information is WRONG. V.C. Bird Day was put into law and celebrated BEFORE UPP came to power in 2004. The first celebration took place in 2003. The UPP came to power in 2004 and changed the day to National Heroes Day, and it was a form of disrespect to the founding father of the nation.
Most countries around the world have a special day set aside to recognize their founding father and a separate day for the other heroes. It is for that reason the ABLP changed it back to its original form.
The UPP continues to boycott the day because it is clear that they do not respect V.C. Bird as a National Hero who stands head and shoulders above the rest. It is disrespectful and people like you should stop spreading false information.
These people who had VC Bird statue looking up Kennedy rumshop, which was only changed by the UPP to have it facing up market street, go down there every year with their hollow pappy show even, all while having the immediate environment close to the statue looking like a shanty town.
Why would anyone who do not support the red cult go to what is basically a partisan political event, where the psychopant who are supping from the public trauf go and sing for their supper?
Talk about short memory.
For the record, the first (1st) V.C. Bird day was celebrated in 2003.
It was actually changed/amended by the U.P.P. when it was in government between 2004 – 2014 and was returned to its original position when A.L.P. regained government in 2014.
Get your information correct.
@Ceasar if you are a clear thinking person as you claim that you are, you would really see the point that I am trying to make. It is time for the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda stop politicizing everything. As I was saying V.C deserves every accolades given to him. About my family being a strong UPP supporter, if you know who my family is you would Shut To Hell Up. I am an individual who thinks with his brain and not color ( red or blue ). Nowhere else in my remarks did I state that I or any member of my family will be supporting the ABLP. What I said and I stand corrected I should have said myself would be seriously thinking about my support for the party if current ways of business continues. Being in opposition does not mean that you oppose everything. There are times when partisanship has to be at the forefront. If there is a day that have been designated for the country’s National Heroes, then let us come together and foster a partisan approach to make that day be meaningful and free of all politicizing. Remember a house divided against itself will fall. If you take a box of matches and you try to break each one individually you will succeed l, but if you try to break the entire box collectively you are going to fail.
@a.k.a. beef. You are correct! I think some people have forgotten!
Dis UPP ting nah sweet now! Everything they boycott and have their own pappy show sudden. This is a crying shame!
I think Donald Trump should change Martin Luther King day to America National Heroes Day, cause there’s a lot of heroes in the USA. I wonder if the UPP would support that.