The Independent Citizens Movement (or Independent Citizens' Movement) is a

political party A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or p ...

in the U.S. Virgin Islands that was founded by Virdin C. Brown and Steve O'Reilly in 1968. Its symbol is the torch. The party advocates for grassroots participation in politics, as well as more autonomy for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Early history

The party had its first political candidates in 1968, and it ran candidates again in 1970. An advertisement in ''

The Virgin Islands Daily News The ''Virgin Islands Daily News'' is a daily newspaper in the United States Virgin Islands headquartered on the island of Saint Thomas. In 1995 the newspaper became one of the smallest ever to win journalism's most prestigious award, the Pulit ...

'' on June 24, 1970 listed Fabian Martinez as the party's president. The party's mission, according to a speech by Brown in 1969, is to "give the government back to the people through good, responsive, and responsible leadership." The party's

platform Platform may refer to: Technology * Computing platform, a framework on which applications may be run * Platform game, a genre of video games * Car platform, a set of components shared by several vehicle models * Weapons platform, a system or ...

was published in ''The Virgin Islands Daily News'' on October 26, 1974. The platform includes increasing the autonomy of the Virgin Islands and increased control over the territory's internal affairs, while still remaining a part of the United States. Party member Cyril E. King successfully ran for

governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

in 1974. King was succeeded as governor in turn by his former ICM lieutenant governor, Juan Francisco Luis, who remained in office until 1987.

Recent history

From 1995 to 1997

Victor O. Frazer Victor O. Frazer (born May 24, 1943) is a Saint Thomian lawyer and former politician, having served as the 3rd elected Delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives. He was born in Charlotte Amalie, ...

was Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands as the party's candidate, although he served as an independent in the

House A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air cond ...

. In the United States Virgin Islands general election, 2014, the party won one out of 15 seats.

References

1968 establishments in the United States Virgin Islands Political parties established in 1968 Political parties in the United States Virgin Islands {{caribbean-party-stub