The effort to form a human chain across St. Croix fell a little short Sunday, just as the effort it was celebrating – putting a stop to violence on the island — often falls short.
The people of St. Croix, however, demonstrated that they were not willing to give up on the effort. They started their human chain of peace and love at 2 p.m. on the shady side of King Street in Christiansted.
The hand holding in peaceful protest about the recent upswing in violence was especially relevant for Peter Skrivanas, the owner of the Pickled Greek Restaurant, where the murder of Peter des Jardins took place Wednesday.
“As a restaurant owner, you expect to get robbed, “Skrivanas said. “You don’t expect to have a friend killed. The island has a lot of love and I thank everyone for that.”
Carol Stewart, organizer, said one night a small group of friends got together and were watching the moon over the sea at Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. Being concerned about the recent violence, the group spontaneously decided to create a human chain from Christiansted to Frederiksted.
“In our minds it will get across the island,” Stewart said Sunday, as she asked people to stretch out.
Heike Nilgen, another organizer, said she sent an email that helped to get the message out on short notice.
“This is to show unity,” Nilgen said. “There are more people on the island with good hearts and love, and we can show it.”
The public was asked to join from wherever the closest point on the route was and hold hands. There were a couple dozen people holding hands at Pueblo Golden Rock.
Laura Ballard said it would have taken one quarter of St. Croix’s population to reach from one end to the other.
“It can be done with ribbons,” Ballard said. “We can do it – we can unite.”
People attending the demonstration wore yellow lapel ribbons.
“Crime problems affect all of us and can only be solved working together,” said Sen. Samuel Sanes. He said he was there because he is the father of two young girls and he is part of the community.
As cars drove by and honked, people chanted, “All o’ we are more dan dem.”
The chain on the west end of the island began at Fort Frederik . The organizers imagined the chain going from Christiansted along Company Street toward Pueblo at Golden Rock, from there passing Basin Triangle until La Reine and then connecting along Centerline Road. From Frederiksted the chain would go down Strand Street, then along the street going to the Post office, up the road toward Centerline Road at 4 p.m.
According to Stewart there were 15 people in Frederiksted and pockets of people all along the route. She said organizers are planning to do another chain in September.