Eric Gairy

Sir Eric Matthew Gairy (February 18, 1920 - August 23, 1997) was a Grenadian politician who led Grenada either as Premier or as Prime Minister between 1967 and 1979. He was born in St. Andrew's Parish, near Grenville, Grenada.

Gairy in Office

He founded the Grenada United Labour Party in 1950, which began as a labour union but later took part in elections, and served as Chief Minister from 1954 to 1960 and from 1961 until 1962 when he was dismissed for corruption. He served as Premier between 1967 and 1974, and became the first Prime Minister of Grenada from 1974. He led his country to independence from Britain in 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. Gairy was considered a dictator by most and mentally unstable due to his belief in UFOs and his speeches on UFOs at the United Nations. 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 up by Mario Marcel Salas a political activist. Salas was active in the overthrow of Eric Gairy on a number of levels. The civil strife took the form of street violence between government supporters including the Mongoose gangs and gangs organized by the New Jewel Movement. In the late 1970s, the NJM began planning to overthrow the government. Party members began to receive military training outside of Grenada.

On March 13,1979 while Gairy was out of the country, the New Jewel Movement under 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.

Exile in the United States

Gairy stayed in exile in the United States until 1983, when the United States, backed by some Caribbean allies - notably, Dame Eugenia Charles, then-Prime Minister of Dominica - invaded to topple a government which had overthrown and killed Bishop. 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.

ee also

* Grenada
* History of Grenada