The nonprofit organization Right to Democracy will host a public open house Thursday at Bluebeard’s Castle from 8 – 11 a.m, inviting community members to take part in an open dialogue on shared challenges facing U.S. territories.
The event aims to foster conversation around environmental justice, democratic engagement, and building advocacy networks that connect the U.S. Virgin Islands with other territories. Right to Democracy works in all five U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and functions to address what the group describes as interconnected issues stemming from territorial status.
“Our work is rooted in listening. Across the territories, people are facing interconnected crises, from environmental vulnerability and democratic exclusion to extractive industries and inequitable federal policies. We want to hear directly from Virgin Islanders about their ideas, concerns and lived experiences. Community leadership is essential to shaping a just future”, says Dr. Hadiya Sewer, Solidarity Director and Environment and Democracy Fellow at Right to Democracy.
According to the organization, the open house is part of a broader effort to strengthen local relationships and build cross-territorial solidarity. Attendees will have a chance to meet team members from across the territories and discuss key issues including:
– Environmental defense and opposition to deep-sea mining
– Building coalitions among different territories
– Questions of territorial self-determination
– Current litigation and policy efforts
– Community-driven priorities for a more equitable democracy
A complimentary breakfast will be offered to attendees and the gathering is open to all community members, advocates, journalists, students, and any other interested stakeholders. Right to Democracy emphasizes that the event is designed as a forum for sharing perspectives and informing the group’s ongoing campaigns.
For more information about Right to Democracy, visit https://www.righttodemocracy.us/.
