Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Uproar in USVI as Caucasian lawyer calls BLM a terrorist group

Mark A. Kragel no longer employed at WAPA after senators call for his axing

Mark A. Kragel, who worked at the US Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) for a decade as its deputy legal counsel, is no longer employed at the authority, WAPA Communications Director Jean Greaux has confirmed to the Consortium.
In a brief statement to the publication, WAPA said, "Mark Kragel is no longer with the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority."

Comments Mr Kragel, who is white, made last week ignited a firestorm online. He had called the Black Lives Matter movement a "domestic terrorist organisation," and went on to use an expletive against BLM.

"Absolutely. Spoiled mentality of fools have zero idea of what it takes to be an officer. 99% don't have the guts to even think of taking the risk that the men and women in blue do everyday. BLM is a domestic terrorist organization. F*ck BLM," Mr Kragel posted. The comment was deleted, but not before screenshots were taken and shared widely online, especially on Facebook.


Calls for Kragel's head

The pushback, first started by a grassroots movement that included random USVI residents who took issue with the post, grew swiftly until it reached the top of government. On Monday, June 22, 2020, Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr told the Consortium that he had spoken to WAPA officials to share his disdain. He said Kragel "has to go."

Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett followed with strong comments of her own: "The Deputy Legal Counsel of WAPA needs to be fired. Period," Ms Plaskett wrote on her Facebook page.

"He does not represent our government, our community, the Virgin Islands. His vitriol cannot be in anyway tolerated particularly when it is done during work hours. This is a place of love and respect."

She added, "And if he sues, when have we been afraid of a fight?"

A petition to remove Mr Kragel from the authority has garnered over 3,100 signatures.


Senators pile on the pressure

Senators piled on as well: Kragel’s employment with WAPA must be terminated immediately,” said Senator Donna A. Frett- Gregory. "We absolutely cannot allow someone with racist views to continue to hold a position of this much influence and power in our community."

Senator Jenelle K. Sarauw said, “This is not the time for patience but for action against racism. The slavery question may have been settled, but the impact is not. We struggle with the effect of colonialism in our government, politics, education, and society. It affects our economics."

Senator Allison L. DeGazon said, "As an Afro-Caribbean woman myself, I was appalled to read such distasteful and offensive commentary from the Deputy General Counsel of our locally owned Water and Power Authority. I believe the persons working for such institution should reflect the values and best interests of the community it serves, in this case, the people of the Virgin Islands."

Senator Athneil Thomas said he was outraged with Kragel’s “insensitivity and disrespect."

“For this individual in his statement to liken the BLM movement to a ‘terrorist organization’ is a clear indication that his despicable spirit supports the unnecessary killing of black individuals,” Mr Thomas said.

“The US Virgin Islands, with a majority population of black people, welcomes people from all places and all races to live within our community whom we accept and treat like family,” he added.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×