Pump Bay, Fig Tree, St. Kitts, August 6th, 2025 (PMO) — In a moving tribute to one of the most influential Pan-African leaders of the 20th century, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, unveiled a commemorative port marker and memorial park in honour of the Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey this morning, August 6, 2025. The event formed part of a larger Remembrance Ceremony hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO and the Routes of Enslaved Peoples Committee.
The ceremony, held on the sacred shores of Pump Bay, once a thriving port and the exact location where Garvey arrived on November 2, 1937, brought together dignitaries, descendants, community members, and cultural performers to honour Garvey’s enduring legacy. Among those in attendance was Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Garvey, who delivered his own poignant tribute.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Drew reflected on the historical and spiritual significance of Garvey’s visit to St. Kitts nearly 90 years ago: “He arrived aboard the SS Lady Nelson, not as a conqueror, but as a messenger of purpose. He came with a vision, one that stirred the consciousness of our people and planted seeds of self-worth, pride, and possibility.”
The Prime Minister praised Garvey’s legacy as a global champion of Black liberation and emphasized the ongoing relevance of his teachings:
“Garvey’s call to ‘uplift ourselves by ourselves’ still echoes in the work we do today to build a fairer, freer, more confident nation and region… This site, this living memory, stands as both a tribute and a torch, a tribute to a man who dared to believe in us and a torch that will light the minds of future generations.”
The Pump Bay location holds deep cultural and historical significance, not only as the point of Garvey’s arrival, but also as a symbol of community strength and resistance. Hosted by Mr. Arnold McIntosh in Sandy Point, Garvey’s 1937 visit left a lasting impression on the Federation and inspired movements of racial pride and self-determination across the Caribbean.
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