Discover

'Sir Eric Matthew Gairy' (February 18, 1920 - August 23, 1997) was a Grenadian politician. He was born in St. Andrew's Parish, near Grenville, Grenada.

Contents

Gairy in Office

Exile in the United States

Jennifer Hosten

See also

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. His rule was criticized by the opposition who pointed to crackdowns on organized labour and the media, human rights abuses, favouritism towards his supporters and harassment of opponents by a group of his supporters called the "Mongoose Gangs". His supporters point to his victory in 1976 elections and the intent of the opposition to overthrow the government in defending his actions.
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.

Jennifer Hosten

Eric Gairy was one of the judges in the 1970 Miss World Contest when Miss Grenada, Jennifer Hosten won.

See also

★ Grenada

★ History of Grenada