David Hamilton Jackson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 28, 1884 |
| Died | May 30, 1946(1946-05-30) (aged 61) |
| Occupation(s) | Educator, bookkeeper, newspaper editor, lawyer, judge, councilman |
| Known for | Civil rights and labor movement organization and activism |
David Hamilton Jackson (September 28, 1884 – May 30, 1946) was alabor rights advocate in theDanish West Indies, later theUnited States Virgin Islands. Jackson was an important figure in the struggle for increasedcivil rights and workers' rights on the islands. He petitioned forfreedom of the press, and organized the St. Croix Labor Union. Following thetransfer of the territory to American control in 1917, he lobbied for US citizenship for the islanders.
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 annualpublic 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 theSt. 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 cruiserValkyrien 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 thetransfer of the islands to American control. After his visit, a majority of theFolketing was convinced that Danish rule over the islands should be ended.[2]
A residential community inChristiansted has been named in his honor. He is also honored in theGrove Place settlement across from abaobab tree.
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