Eric Gairy
Encyclopedia
Sir Eric Matthew Gairy (February 18, 1922 – August 23, 1997) was the first Prime Minister of Grenada, serving from Grenada`s independence in 1974 until his overthrow in a coup by Maurice Bishop
in 1979. Gairy also served as head of government in pre-independence Grenada as Chief Minister 1960-1961, and Premier 1967-1974.
on the Eastern side of the island near Grenville, Grenada
. He attended the LaFillette School and then the St. Andrews Roman Catholic Senior School. Gairy was also an acolyte at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, next door to the school. He became a primary 'student-teacher' in the LaFillette School from January 1939 - September 1941.
for better working conditions, this sparked great unrest - so many buildings were set ablaze that the disturbances became known as the 'red sky' days - and the British authorities had to call in military reinforcements to help regain control of the situation. Gairy himself was taken into custody.
. He was elected as a representative of the Colony of Genada`s Legislative Council in 1951, 1954, and 1957. He was banned from political activities and lost his seat between 1957 and 1961.
pageant in London, controversy followed after Grenadian
contestant Jennifer Hosten
won, and another black contestant from South Africa
placed second. Since Gairy was on the judging panel, inevitably there were many accusations that the contest had been rigged. The BBC
and newspapers received numerous protests about the result, and accusations of racism were made by all sides. Four of the nine judges had given first-place votes to Miss Sweden, Marjorie Christel Johansson, while Miss Grenada received only two firsts, yet Johansson finished fourth. Some of the audience gathered in the street outside Royal Albert Hall
after the contest and chanted "Swe-den, Swe-den". Four days later, organising director Julia Morley (1941-) resigned because of the intense pressure from the newspapers. Years later Johansson was reported as saying that she had been cheated out of the title.
on 7th February 1974. Gairy's term in office coincided with civil strife in Grenada. The political environment was highly charged and although Gairy won a general election in 1976, the opposition did not accept the result as legitimate.
should create an agency or department to start research on UFO and extraterrestrial life
, resulting in their Resolution 33/426 on Extraterrestrial Life in 1978.
US citizens helped to support the overthrow of Eric Gairy with solidarity movements. One such solidarity movement existed in San Antonio, Texas and was headed by African-American activist Mario Marcel Salas
, who was active in his overthrow on a number of levels. Civil strife took the form of street violence between government supporters, including the Mongoose gangs, and gangs organized by the New Jewel Movement
(NJM). In the late 1970s, the NJM began planning to overthrow the government, with party members receiving military training outside of Grenada.
On March 13, 1979 while Gairy was at the UN, the New Jewel Movement led by Maurice Bishop
launched an armed revolution and overthrew the government. Bishop suspended the constitution, and the New Jewel Movement ruled the country by decree until 1983.
Anti-Gairy activity was carried out in the United States in support of the revolution to overthrow Gairy including activists in San Antonio, Texas.
until 1983, when the United States, backed by some Caribbean allies - notably, Dame Eugenia Charles
, Prime Minister of Dominica
- invaded to topple a military government which had overthrown and killed Bishop.
Maurice Bishop
Maurice Rupert Bishop was a Grenadian politician and revolutionary who seized power in a coup in 1979 from Eric Gairy and served as Prime Minister of the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada until 1983, when he was overthrown in another coup by Bernard Coard, a member of his own...
in 1979. Gairy also served as head of government in pre-independence Grenada as Chief Minister 1960-1961, and Premier 1967-1974.
Early Days in Grenada:1922-1941
Eric Matthew Gairy was the son of Douglas and Theresa Gairy, and born 18 February 1922 in Dunfermline, St. Andrew's ParishSaint Andrew Parish, Grenada
Saint Andrew's is the largest parish in Grenada. The main town is Grenville, which is also Grenada's second largest town after St George's. Grenville is also known as La Baye .-History:...
on the Eastern side of the island near Grenville, Grenada
Grenville, Grenada
Grenville is the second largest city in Grenada, after St. George's, and it is the capital of the largest parish, Saint Andrew Parish. Grenville is located on Grenville Bay, about halfway up the east coast of the Caribbean island of Grenada and is heavily involved in the agriculture export industry...
. He attended the LaFillette School and then the St. Andrews Roman Catholic Senior School. Gairy was also an acolyte at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, next door to the school. He became a primary 'student-teacher' in the LaFillette School from January 1939 - September 1941.
Trade Union Leader and 'Red Sky': 1950-1951
Eric Gairy returned to Grenada in December, 1949 to enter trade unionism and politics. In 1950 he founded the Grenada Manual, Maritime & Intellectual Workers' Union (GMMIWU) and was deeply involved in encouraging the 1951 general strikeGeneral strike
A general strike is a strike action by a critical mass of the labour force in a city, region, or country. While a general strike can be for political goals, economic goals, or both, it tends to gain its momentum from the ideological or class sympathies of the participants...
for better working conditions, this sparked great unrest - so many buildings were set ablaze that the disturbances became known as the 'red sky' days - and the British authorities had to call in military reinforcements to help regain control of the situation. Gairy himself was taken into custody.
Radical Political Leader: 1951-1961
In 1951 Gairy founded the Grenada United Labour PartyGrenada United Labour Party
-History:The party was founded by Eric Gairy in 1950. It was the only party to contest the first elections held under universal suffrage in 1951, and won six of the eight seats. The 1954 elections saw the same outcome...
. He was elected as a representative of the Colony of Genada`s Legislative Council in 1951, 1954, and 1957. He was banned from political activities and lost his seat between 1957 and 1961.
Chief Minister 1961-1962
Gairy was returned in a by-election in July 1961 and became Chief minister, as his party held a majority in the Legislative Council since winning the 1961 general election. He served as Chief Minister from August 1961 until April 1962 when he was dismissed for the questionable use of state funds.Leader of the Opposition:1962-1967
Gairy's party lost the 1962 general election and he served as leader of the opposition between 1962 and 1967.First Administration 1967-1972
Gairy won the 1967 general election and formed a new administration as Premier of the Associated State of Grenada.Miss World Controversy
In the 1970 Miss WorldMiss World
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
pageant in London, controversy followed after Grenadian
Grenadian
The people of Grenada or simply Grenadians or Grenadian people are the inhabitants or citizens of Grenada.Grenadian may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to the country of Grenada...
contestant Jennifer Hosten
Jennifer Hosten
Jennifer Josephine Hosten won the Miss World 1970 contest, representing Grenada. She became the first woman from her country to win the title. Her winning made a complete outrage among newsmen, pageant fans and feminist groups....
won, and another black contestant from South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
placed second. Since Gairy was on the judging panel, inevitably there were many accusations that the contest had been rigged. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and newspapers received numerous protests about the result, and accusations of racism were made by all sides. Four of the nine judges had given first-place votes to Miss Sweden, Marjorie Christel Johansson, while Miss Grenada received only two firsts, yet Johansson finished fourth. Some of the audience gathered in the street outside Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
after the contest and chanted "Swe-den, Swe-den". Four days later, organising director Julia Morley (1941-) resigned because of the intense pressure from the newspapers. Years later Johansson was reported as saying that she had been cheated out of the title.
Second Administration 1972-1974
Gairy won the 1972 general election and formed a new administration as Premier of the Associated State of Grenada.First Administration:1974-1976
Gairy became the first Prime Minister of Grenada when Grenada achieved independence from Great BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 7th February 1974. Gairy's term in office coincided with civil strife in Grenada. The political environment was highly charged and although Gairy won a general election in 1976, the opposition did not accept the result as legitimate.
Second Administration:1976-1979
In 1977 Gairy promoted the idea that the UNUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
should create an agency or department to start research on UFO and extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
, resulting in their Resolution 33/426 on Extraterrestrial Life in 1978.
US citizens helped to support the overthrow of Eric Gairy with solidarity movements. One such solidarity movement existed in San Antonio, Texas and was headed by African-American activist Mario Marcel Salas
Mario Marcel Salas
Mario Marcel Salas. is a civil rights leader, author and politician. His parents were an Afro-Mexican father and a mixed race mother....
, who was active in his overthrow on a number of levels. Civil strife took the form of street violence between government supporters, including the Mongoose gangs, and gangs organized by the New Jewel Movement
New Jewel Movement
The New Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education, and Liberation, or New JEWEL Movement, was a Marxist-Leninist vanguard party in the Caribbean island nation of Grenada...
(NJM). In the late 1970s, the NJM began planning to overthrow the government, with party members receiving military training outside of Grenada.
On March 13, 1979 while Gairy was at the UN, the New Jewel Movement led by Maurice Bishop
Maurice Bishop
Maurice Rupert Bishop was a Grenadian politician and revolutionary who seized power in a coup in 1979 from Eric Gairy and served as Prime Minister of the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada until 1983, when he was overthrown in another coup by Bernard Coard, a member of his own...
launched an armed revolution and overthrew the government. Bishop suspended the constitution, and the New Jewel Movement ruled the country by decree until 1983.
Anti-Gairy activity was carried out in the United States in support of the revolution to overthrow Gairy including activists in San Antonio, Texas.
Exile in the United States:1979-1983
Gairy stayed in exile in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until 1983, when the United States, backed by some Caribbean allies - notably, Dame Eugenia Charles
Eugenia Charles
Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, DBE was Prime Minister of Dominica from 21 July 1980 until 14 June 1995. She was Dominica's first, and to date only, female prime minister, as well as the nation's longest serving prime minister...
, Prime Minister of Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
- invaded to topple a military government which had overthrown and killed Bishop.
Return and Final Days:1983-1997
Gairy then returned to Grenada and campaigned in the elections of 1984, claiming to be a changed man. However, his party lost the elections, and attempts by Gairy and his party to return to power in 1990 and 1995 were also unsuccessful. He died in Grand Anse, Grenada.See also
- GrenadaGrenadaGrenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
- History of GrenadaHistory of Grenada-Early history:About 2 million years ago Grenada was formed as an underwater volcano.Before the arrival of Europeans, Grenada, was inhabited by Carib Indians who had driven the more peaceful Arawaks from the island. Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the new world...
- http://www.thegrenadarevolutiononline.com/gairya.html