D. Hamilton Jackson

David Hamilton Jackson (September 28, 1884 – May 30, 1946) was a labor rights advocate in the Danish West Indies, later the United States Virgin Islands. Jackson was an important figure in the struggle for increased civil rights and workers' rights on the islands. He petitioned for freedom of the press, and organized the St. Croix Labor Union. Following the transfer of the territory to American control in 1917, he lobbied for US citizenship for the islanders.

David Hamilton Jackson
Born	September 28, 1884 Estate East Hill, St. Croix, Danish West Indies
Died	May 30, 1946(1946-05-30) (aged 61) St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Occupation(s)	Educator, Bookkeeper, Newspaper Editor, Lawyer, Judge, Councilman
Known for	Crucian Leader of Civil Rights Movement, Labor Movement Organizer

Life and career

Jackson Bust in Grove Place.

Jackson worked as an educator and later a bookkeeper and clerk before becoming involved in the politics of the Danish West Indies. He traveled to Denmark and successfully petitioned for the repeal of a 1779 law which prohibited independent newspapers and enforced strict censorship on all publications in the territory. Upon returning home, he established the first free newspaper, The Herald. The date of this event, November 1, is celebrated as an annual public holiday known as "Liberty Day", D. Hamilton Jackson Day, or Bull and Bread Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

With the help of Ralph Bough, Jackson organized the St. Croix Labor Union in 1915. In response to an accusation by a local plantation manager that Jackson was organizing a revolt, the Danish government ordered the cruiser Valkyrien to the Danish West Indies. In 1916, under Jackson's leadership, the St. Croix Labor Union went on strike and negotiated an agreement with the Planters Association to raise the wage of sugar cane laborers from 20 cents to 35 cents, among other concessions.^[1] The same year, he lobbied for the transfer of the islands to American control. After his visit, a majority of the Folketing was convinced that Danish rule over the islands should be ended.^[2]

A residential community in Christiansted has been named in his honor. He is also honored in the Grove Place Settlement Across from the Baobab tree.

See also

• 1878 St. Croix Labor Riots