Advocates St Vincent and the Grenadines (Advocates SVG), a local chapter of Advocates International and Advocates Caribbean, celebrated its first anniversary on May 24, 2015. Launched on May 24, 2014 at the Haddon Hotel, Advocates SVG is a part of a worldwide fellowship of advocates bearing witness of Jesus Christ through the legal profession.{{more}}

Advocates SVG’s first year of operation saw the successful hosting of the Advocates Caribbean 4th Biennial Regional Conference at the Beachcombers Hotel from November 7 to 9, 2014.

The theme of the conference was “Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – Free Indeed.” The conference was attended by lawyers and judges from St Vincent and the Grenadines, the region and the United Kingdom, as well as pastors, students and other interested persons.

“Together we explored the several rights and freedoms enshrined in our various constitutions, particularly the freedoms of conscience and speech,” a release from the group said.

In December 2014, Advocates SVG was charged with the responsibility of hosting the prayer breakfast to commence the local Bar Association Law Week at the Grenadines House, Kingstown.

To commence the anniversary celebrations, Advocates SVG organized a retreat, which was successfully executed on May 1, 2015. A church service was held on Sunday, May 24 at The Upper Room Ministries, and featured a powerful sermon, under the theme “Pressing towards the Mark of the Higher Calling.” The message was delivered by Mr J-Lany Williams, Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers. On May 27, the film “Sex, Lies and Rights: A Seduction of Medicine, Law and Politics” was shown at the Streams of Power Church, Sion Hill. The film, which was written and produced by the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, was used as a tool to educate the public on the dangers of repealing or amending laws which criminalize buggery, and the negative impact any such amendment or repeal would have on the typical Caribbean society.

“Advocates SVG is grateful for the support and contributions received during its anniversary celebrations. Advocates SVG seeks to encourage and enable a global network of skilled advocates committed to religious liberty, human rights, conflict resolution, reconciliation, and professional ethics,” the release said.

Members of Advocates SVG are Mandella Campbell, Anneke Russell, Meisha Cruickshank, Sejilla McDowall, Kezron Walters, Andrew Russell, and J-Lany Williams.