Independent Citizens Movement

The Independent Citizens Movement (or Independent Citizens' Movement) is a political party in the U.S. Virgin Islands that was founded by Virdin C. Brown and Steve O'Reilly[1] in 1968.[2] Its symbol is the torch.[3] The party advocates for grassroots participation in politics, as well as more autonomy for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Not to be confused with sovereign citizen movement.
Independent Citizens Movement
ChairpersonDale Blyden
Founded1968 (1968)
Split fromDemocratic Party of the Virgin Islands
IdeologyTerritorial autonomy
Grassroots democracy
Reformism
Colors  Blue
  Orange
Seats in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands
0 / 15
Politics of the United States Virgin Islands
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Divisions
Federal relations

Early history

The party had its first political candidates in 1968,[4] and it ran candidates again in 1970.[5] An advertisement in The Virgin Islands Daily News on June 24, 1970 listed Fabian Martinez as the party's president.[6]

The party's mission, according to a speech by Brown in 1969, is to "give the government back to the people through good, responsive, and responsible leadership."[7] The party's platform was published in The Virgin Islands Daily News on October 26, 1974.[8] The platform includes increasing the autonomy of the Virgin Islands and increased control over the territory's internal affairs, while still remaining a part of the United States.[8]

Party member Cyril E. King successfully ran for governor in 1974.[9] King was succeeded as governor in turn by his former ICM lieutenant governor, Juan Francisco Luis, who remained in office until 1987.

Recent history

From 1995 to 1997 Victor O. Frazer was Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands as the party's candidate, although he served as an independent in the House. In the United States Virgin Islands general election, 2014, the party won one out of 15 seats.

References
  1. "O'Reilly Calls on Evans to Veto 'Incredible' Bill". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. March 12, 1970.
  2. King, Cyril E. (February 7, 1970). "Speech given at a meeting of the St. Thomas Public Information Association". The Virgin Islands Daily News. p. 3.
  3. King, Cyril E. (October 24, 1969). "Speech in Cruz Bay, St. John". Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. pp. 3, 8.
  4. "Sample Ballot". Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. November 4, 1968. p. 4.
  5. "Notice re Casting of Lots for Position of Names Upon the Official Primary Ballots" (government notice). Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. August 26, 1970. p. 8.
  6. "St. Croix Blood Bank Drive" (advertisement). St. Croix Chapter American Red Cross. The Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. June 24, 1970. p. 6.
  7. "'Mission' of Party Aired". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. February 4, 1970. pp. 2, 5.
  8. "Platform of the Independent Citizens Movement (The ICM)" (advertisement). Independent Citizens Movement. Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. October 26, 1974. pp. 12–14.
  9. Rackemann, Francis (January 25, 1975). "As Others See Us". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived by Google. p. 4.
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