Tuesday 29 September 2009

Jersey History Mystery - some representative views.

The 28th of September passed by in Jersey again without a murmur so we at “The Voice” asked a few of our more progressive elected representatives (some others declined our invitation!) about this most important day in our history.

Their videoed responses that follow are hardly as revolutionary as those brave Jersey people who overthrew the corrupt Royal Court in 1769 or those ordinary people who continue protesting to this day.

But next year perhaps…………….?

Submitted by Thomas Wellard.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

There seem to be a lot of things in Jerseys history that are either misrepresented or completely ommited.

The simple reason such history is not repeated is because it shows that when working class people group together to assert their rights, they can achieve anything, and thats obviously something our overlords do not want to happen.


I seem to remember hearing something about hunger riots in the 1800s that were violently supressed in Jersey. I'm not sure about the validity of what I heard (perhaps you could help me out on that) but if it is true I am not surprised that its not easy to find information about our very own supposed Tianamen Square incident.

Anonymous said...

You are correct about many strikes and protests in Jersey by working people. The ship building workers tried to strike in the 1790's when maximum rates of pay were imposed but the employers broke them by recruiting outside labour.
There were many similar incidents in the 1800's.
Most notable were the very substantial uprisings around 1847 when shipworkers, foundrymen quarry workers and supportive men and women to about a thousand descended upon St Helier because they were unable to afford bread. They assemebled too in the Royal square led by Jean Picot a shoemaker. He was arrested and sent to jail and in the fullness of time many others were arrested too and some were banished from the Island.

But of course, the only monument erected is the Le Sueur obelisk in Broad Street - not erected to the memory of the brave thousand but to Constable Le Sueuer who led the suppression of their protest!

So it is evident that the people of Jersey should set about to reclaim their true history and remember the many who have fought and suffered in order that this little haven might exist.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic, thanks for clarifying that for me.

When put in that context, the phrase "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles" has never sounded so true.

Anonymous said...

Just a thought. How about Team Voice (& friends) producing an alternative history of Jersey short film for next years Branchage film festival?
St_Ouennais

voiceforchildren said...

St_Ouennais.

That is a good idea. Watch this space!