Nov. 10, 2007 — In 1997, in an act of heroism, frustration and defiance, Lloyd "Sonny" Barnes parked his wheelchair in front of a bus to demonstrate the lack of service for people with mobility impairments.
A fighter for the rights of people with disabilities since he was nine years old, Barnes was honored in Washington, D.C., in 2003, and Friday, the board of the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands followed suit.
"We are here to honor members of the community such as Sonny, who have given so much of themselves," said Amelia Headley LaMont, executive director of DRCVI. Also among the honorees was local radio news reporter Alvin Gee Southwell who followed closely the eight-week civil rights litigation campaign in 1997.
The DRCVI held a commemoration and awards ceremony at the Great House at St. George Village Botanical Garden highlighting the struggles, sacrifice and successes of the last 30 years. Nineteen people from the territory such as judges, lawyers, community advocates, groups and individuals were honored.
Vinie Burrows, an activist, actor, director and educator from New York, provided entertainment for the evening. Burrows presented a dramatic program of four vignettes on autism, blindness, dyslexia and dementia.
The DRCVI serves people with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. Its staff advocates for basic rights through mediation, litigation and negotiation. They also work to ensure accountability in education, transportation, healthcare and employment. It is a territory-wide nonprofit organization that provides legal services to eligible people with disabilities in the Virgin Islands.
Honored within the justice system were Judge Geoffrey Barnard, Judge George Cannon, Samuel Grey and Gerry Groner. Community advocates honored were Barnes, Carlyle Albert, Caroline Browne, Maria Ferreras, Carmen Huertas, Diana Miller, Arlene Monaghan, Harvey Nielsen, Lorraine Quinton, Mark Vinzant and Carden White.
Ten Thousand Helpers, an organization serving people in need of rehabilitation, was also honored. "We are very pleased with what we have accomplished with our work in outreach," said Edith Moore, treasurer at Ten Thousand Helpers.
Eren Edwards was honored as a supportive and loving parent who took charge of her son's life and became an advocate for him the past 28 years. As a media voice, along with Southwell, Mario Moorhead was honored.
Café Christine in Christiansted catered the event. Classical guitarist Steve Katz played throughout the evening.
"Things have been challenging over the past 30 years," LeMont said, "We didn't know if we could continue as an entity, we have because of everyone's hard work."
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