United States lawmakers are calling on the British Virgin Islands (BVI) government to remove the law banning Rastafarians and hippies from entering the country.

  The call came from US Virgin Islands Senator, Adelbert "Bert" Bryan at the swearing ceremony of senators in St. Thomas a week ago in the presence of several BVI  lawmakers including Deputy Chief Minister Christopher and speaker of the BVI Legislature, Reuben Vantepool, who called on the BVI government to remove the "Rasta" law which he described as discriminatory.
   The BVI legislators and Speakers were invited by the US Virgin Island Senate to attend the opening session of the 24th Legislature.
   BVI Opposition leader Dr. Orlando Smith announced soon after that he will again raise the issue in the Legislature Council about the delay in removing the ban on Rastas and hippies from entering the territory.
   A 1980 regulation requires immigration officers to turn away Rastafarians and hippies, although it does how to identify them. Over the years, immigration officers have refused entry to people with Rastafarians dreadlocks and men with long hair.

A related articale on the rasta ban