A Nation’s Struggles Continue

Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are celebrating another anniversary of independence. February 7 marks 45 years since our red, green and gold flag was hoisted, signifying our political independence from our colonial ruler Britain.

The independence activities of each year are broadly embraced by the nation – and rightly so. The flag is now a visible accessory of Grenadians at home and abroad. But, it not always has been like that. Grenada’s independence is literally the stone that the builder refused now becoming the head cornerstone.

The road to independence was long and turbulent. Generations of people have been beaten and killed, imprisoned and exiled, under oppressive systems of slavery and colonialism, when all they desired was the right to self-determination and independent rule.

The last leg of the journey began with the late Sir Eric Matthew Gairy. But, there was resistance to Sir Eric – as a person and a leader; to his ruling Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) government; and to establishing an independent state with Eric Matthew Gairy as Prime Minister.

There were repeated complaints of government corruption against Sir Eric and the GULP, police brutality and even extra-judicial killing. The situation reached a particular low on “Bloody Sunday’’, November 18, 1973. On that day, six leading New Jewel Movement (NJM) members – Maurice Bishop, Unison Whiteman, Kenrick Radix, Selwyn Strachan, Simon Daniel, and Hudson Austin – were severely beaten by police officers and “Mongoose Gang’’ supporters of Premier Gairy. The six were then arrested, jailed and later hospitalized.

The events of “Bloody Sunday’’ hardened opposition to Sir Eric and his plans for independence for Grenada. Protest by a coalition of organizations – including the NJM, trade unions, business, religious and students’ groups – intensified. The country was engulfed in a nationwide strike and there were regular street demonstrations with protestors chanting: “G-O, go; Gairy must go!’’ 

The demonstration was growing in size and strength, reaching an estimated 6,000 on January 21, 1974, when it was violently broken up at a rally outside Otway’s House on the Carenage, headquarters of the Grenada Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Union. January 21 became another infamous day in our history, dubbed “Bloody Monday’’, with the attempt by Royal Grenada Police Force and “Mongoose Gang’’ members to put an end to the demonstration and rally. Tear gas, bottle-pelting, stone-throwing and shooting were employed. Protestors, including many schoolchildren, sought refuge inside Otway’s House, ran for cover or jumped into the Carenage waters, all in an effort to save their lives. In the chaos, which later involved looting,Rupert Bishop – father of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop – was killed. He lost his life to a gunshot while protecting school kids inside Otway’s House.

The tragic event of January 21, 1974, did not stop the independence movement. Businesses were shut, the main port in St George’s was closed, and electricity was turned off in the ongoing nationwide strike, when Grenada became an independent state on February 7, 1974.

Interestingly, after Sir Eric was removed from office in the March 13, 1979 Revolution, the new rulers recognized independence as a significant milestone, though it was not celebrated with any public fanfare. It was in the post-1983 period, in the aftermath of the fall of the Revolution, that the celebration of independence took on a new tone and began moving to a new level of national pride.

Today, as in recent years, the celebration is themed and activities are put together by a government-backed organizing committee. This year’s theme is, “Celebrating 45 years, Building Resilience and Enhancing Social and Economic Transformation’’. It’s a program of culture, arts and craft and church services, culminating with the Independence Day celebration on February 7.

It’s not unusual that at each year’s commemoration of independence, political clouds will be hovering over the celebrations – just as they did in 1974. Last year, for example, political campaigning was at a fever pitch as parties and candidates prepared for the scheduled March 13 general election. 

This year, the nation is witnessing a protracted dispute between government and public officers over pension and gratuity payment to workers. The dispute, which clearly has political undertones, has impacted students. They lost valuable classroom instruction time last year with teachers being absent from work. Teachers are on a work-to-rule, forcing the cancellation of many of the schools’ extracurricular activities. There also has been an effect on the business sector. The construction and manufacturing sectors, for instance, reported a downturn in sales in the year-end period.

The good thing, however, is that Grenada remains a highly peaceful nation. For that, we all must be thankful and give praise to the Almighty God.

The Barnacle would like to wish all Grenadians, at home and in the Diaspora, a happy 45^thanniversary of independence.