| The Right Honourable Sir Eric Mathew Gairy |
|
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Grenada | |
| In office 7 February 1974 – 9 March 1979 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Leo de Gale Paul Scoon |
| Preceded by | Prime Minister established |
| Succeeded by | Maurice Bishop |
| Premier of Grenada | |
| In office 25 August 1967 – 6 February 1974 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Herbert A. Blaize |
| Succeeded by | Premier abolished |
| Chief Minister of Grenada | |
| In office August 1961 – 19 June 1962 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | George E. D. Clyne |
| Succeeded by | Herbert A. Blaize |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 18, 1922 Dunfermline, Grenada |
| Died | August 23, 1997 (aged 75) Grand Anse, Grenada |
| Nationality | Grenadian |
| Political party | Grenada United Labour Party |
| Spouse(s) | Cynthina Gairy (1949-1997) |
| Children | Jennifer and Marcelle |
Sir Eric Matthew Gairy (February 18, 1922 – August 23, 1997)[1] 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.
Eric Matthew Gairy was the son of Douglas and Theresa Gairy, and born 18 February 1922 in Dunfermline, St. Andrew's Parish 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.
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 strike 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.
In 1951 Gairy founded the Grenada United Labour Party[2]. 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.
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.
Gairy's party lost the 1962 general election and he served as leader of the opposition between 1962 and 1967.
Gairy won the 1967 general election and formed a new administration as Premier of the Associated State of Grenada.
In the 1970 Miss World 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.
Gairy won the 1972 general election and formed a new administration as Premier of the Associated State of Grenada.
Gairy became the first Prime Minister of Grenada when Grenada achieved independence from Great Britain 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.
In 1977 Gairy promoted the idea that the UN 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.[3]
Gairy stayed in exile in the United States 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.
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.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George E.D. Clyne |
Chief Minister of Grenada August 1961 - 19 June 1962 |
Succeeded by Herbert Blaize |
| Preceded by Herbert Blaize |
Premier of Grenada 25 August 1967 - 7 February 1974 |
Succeeded by Office Abolished |
| Preceded by New Office |
Prime Minister of Grenada 7 February 1974 - 13 March 1979 |
Succeeded by Maurice Bishop |
|
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