USVI: Will trade food for vote

August 1, 2004 - St. Croix native Edward Browne will begin a protest he hopes will bring renewed attention to Virgin Islanders and other U.S. citizens living in unincorporated territories who don't have the right to vote for president of the United States. In a letter to the Source on Sunday, Browne, 29, said he would go on a hunger strike beginning Monday in hopes of making a difference.

"People may find this extreme," said Browne, "but sometimes you have to believe in something greater than yourself."

Browne contends, if we are citizens of the United States and are able to serve in the armed forces, we should have all the rights and privileges entitled to all citizens. "The constitution gives us these rights," said Browne, citing the 14th, 15th and 19th amendments. "These amendments govern the rights of citizens and state, "'no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States,'" Browne quoted.

Sounds as though the USVI need to become the 51st state.