* 1922 - † 23 augustus 1997

Eric Mathew Gairy was the classic 'hero in the crowd' as analyzed adeptly by author Archie Singham. A former primary school teacher and union organizer, he had a kind of natty stance and style packed with elegance. Impeccably dressed, he can be compared to W.E.B. Du Bois in his physical bearing and preference for finely cut clothing.

Referring to his benevolence or letting himself affectionately be called 'Uncle' or 'Papa,' Gairy spoke using memorable slogans and with never-to-be-forgot sayings. He had a kind of sartorial elegance and was forthright, making emphasis with his walking stick or his raised fist.

Eric Matthew Gairy was the son of Douglas and Theresa Gairy, and born in Dunfermline, St. Andrew's parish. According to the Duffus Commission:

"He attended the La Fillette School [St. Mary's Roman Catholic School] and then the St. Andrews Roman Catholic School [Grenville] and then he became a teacher in the La Fillette School and was also an acolyte. He went to Aruba and returned [1950] to enter trade unionism and politics. He has become a successful leader in both. He may also be described as a man of property.

Gairy carried himself with a charismatic charm - no two ways about it. He was a commanding actor and personality. He could mesmerize a crowd and make drama . . . and singularly defined Grenadian politics during his time(s) as Prime Minister, especially during the formative period of the New Jewel Movement in the early 1970s.

Eric Mathew Gairy was interested in people; invited them to his government home on Mount Royal, and sat down and talked with them dockside. He charmed them, especially the ladies. He was an excellent speaker, a commanding orator and crowd-pleaser. His character and his interests were unique, but we shall remain on the bright side in this short portrait.

'Papa' Gairy gets nabbed as " . . . the rougish petty tyrant and the protective father of the nation," according to Tafari, who continues: "A balanced reassessment of his historical role will no doubt reveal that, taken overall, he was neither. But he certainly was, at least originally, an unusually gifted populist agitator on behalf of the black masses in the finest Caribbean trickster tradition . . ."

Let us tarry on one eccentricity, though. Did you know that United States taxpayer dollars in October and November 1978 were spent on State Department investigators to discover what Gairy was up to? This was the time Sir Eric Gairy "addressed the special political committee (SPC) on agenda item 126 and introduced a resolution (datafaxed) which would establish an expert group to set guidelines for a United Nations study of UFOs [unidentified flying objects]." Needless to say, the resolution did not appear to be acceptable to the United States.

“The formation of the infamous Mongoose Gang in 1970—an illegal act since Gairy had no legal authority to establish law enforcement agencies outside the provision of the law of the state—unleashed a series of unspeakable atrocities against the Grenada citizenry, constitution a veritable reign of terror,” Lewis succinctly summarizes.

Eric Mathew Gairy had come to this period of time [1970-1984] with a long history of union organizing and political activity in Grenada. Before long, the young radicals of the New JEWEL Movement were on his back, giving him sweat with jabs here and there, and moving him to reactionary behavior.

While Gairy was Prime Minister 1968-71, Blaize was Grenada National Party (GNP) Opposition Leader.

In reaction to disturbances in Trinidad and Tobago, Gairy made his reaction to 'Black Power in Grenada' speech on radio, 3 May 1970:

"There are no significant threats in Grenada today. However, being aware of what has been happening to some of our neighbouring islands - Trinidad and Tobago in particular - one cannot be too cautious, and, consequently, as Premier of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, I feel myself, in duty bound, to address you at this time . . .

There has been quite some talk recently throughout the region about 'Black Power,' about acts of violence and talks about threats . . .

I have absolutely no doubt that 'Black Power,' as manifested in Trinidad and Tobago can do a tremendous amount of harm to any country . . .

I cannot speak on the merits or demerits of Trinidad and Tobago's case . . .

I cannot boast of having the patience of Dr. Eric Williams. It is said that when your neighbour's house is on fire, keep on wetting your own house. We are now doubling the strength of our Police Force, we are setting in almost unlimited supplies of new and modern equipment . . .

The Opposition referred to my recruiting criminals in a reserve force. To this I shall not say yea or nay. Does it not take steel to cut steel? I am proud of the ready response to my call on Grenadians, regardless of their record, to come and join in the defence of my Government and in the maintenance of law and order in their country. Indeed, hundreds have come and some of the toughest and roughest roughnecks have been recruited . . .

I know that I would have a ready response from the very responsible people of this country who would be dedicated to protecting themselves and their families, their properties and estates and the good name of Grenada as a whole, and if and when the call is made for the formation of the VIUPP - Voluntary Intelligence Unit for Property Protection - men, intelligent young men and old men - and perhaps women will be called upon to join.

Our Police Force is being doubled to meet the situation. The force are aware of the diligence exercised by the Trinidad Police. Grenada's Police Force is certainly not on a lower level than the Trinidad Police Force in any respect. Today, the Grenadian Policeman knows that by his efforts in stamping out the attempts of those involved in Black Power or any other subversive movement, he can win the award of 'Policeman of the Year' and climb the ladder of promotion or receive monetary awards. The Police are geared to keep this country clean and in an atmosphere of peace and quiet at all times."

Premier Gairy did double his police force. Thus began the ever-escalating struggle between Gairy Forces and the New Jewel Movement .

In another part of the 'Black Power in Grenada' radio broadcast, Gairy got specific:

"I cannot close my ears to the ugly incidents alleged to have taken place recently, and it may be timely here to mention a few - three youngsters, clad in black, entered the 'Red Crab Restaurant' and ordered drinks and food, ate, and then shouted 'Black Power,' and left without paying; another three demanded money and drinks from two foreigners at the Nutmeg Restaurant; others molested some other visitors by the 'Portofino' Restaurant and the 'China Town' Complex of Restaurants.

'A stitch in time saves nine' is indeed a wise maxim. My government will not sit by and allow individual or groups of individuals to agitate or incite, to promulgate or to promote any racial disharmony in the peaceful 'Isle of Spice' - the Caribbean Garden of Eden.

Today Barbados is providing strong legislative powers with heavy penalties to curtail any such acts. I say, that those guilty of inciting racial disharmony, or guilty of molesting of any form should be told, 'Good Morning' by the Cat-O-Nine as they start their prison term, and 'How do you Do' by the same Cat-O-Nine as they and their prison term. Law and order will always reign supreme in this great little state of ours."

The elections of February 1972 squared off two major parties: the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) and the Grenada National Party (GNP). There was a drought in the sister isle of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Gairy declared a 'Day of Prayer' for the people to pray to bring the rains. Gairy, through his Secretary for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Michael Caesar, published the prayer below in pamphlet form, printed by the Government Printery. Note the play on words between 'blaze' and Opposition Leader 'Blaize.'

A DAY OF PRAYER

"My dear people of Carriacou and Petit Martinique, this is a time for prayers and repentance. Today, we are experiencing one of the longest and most devastating droughts of our history - a drought which, like a blaize (sic) of fire has destroyed all our crops.

To those of us who believe in God, in the Truth, the Light and the Way, this is a calamity which represents some form of punishment. Some people are asking what have we done to deserve such punishment? I am sure that you will agree with me that God in His Righteousness would never suffer a people who is living according to His way.

Yes my dear people, the time has come for us to examine our conscience and try to determine what we have done, or what wrong we have committed to deserve such terrible punishment.

Referring to this Blaize-of-fire drought which has completely destroyed all our crops, and of the wrongs which we have committed, I am reminded of an incident which took place here in Carriacou immediately following the last election, I refer to a tractor, which, I understand was brought to Carriacou specifically to plough the lands of only those who voted or supported the Grenada National Party. I understand further that several Carriacouans who were suspected of having voted for or supported the Grenada United Labour Party or the Government were bluntly refused the rented service of that tractor. Consequently, only lands belonging to GNP supporters in Carriacou were ploughed and prepared for the expected annual rainy season . . .

Take warning, my dear people, and remember that we, as human beings, can fool one another, but we cannot fool God. In Carriacou today, there are a number of organization that are being operated under the guise of social, cultural or even charitable intentions, but you know as well as I do, that their motives are very sinister and contrary to what the organizers profess them to be. You know too, that certain persons have been going around by night and day, telling lies, preaching hate, and like wolves in sheep clothing have been deceiving the poor people and robbing them of their much needed pennies, under false pretences. Beware, my dear people, and again remember that they are only fooling themselves, because we believe that there is a just God whom they cannot fool.

Obviously, this terrible drought situation is a consequence of the sinful way of life which prevails in Carriacou and Petit Martinique today. This sinful way of hate, of violence, of ungratefulness and of untruth is NOT the Way of God, but of men who represent the devil and his followers, and consequently are responsible for summoning the wrath of God upon us all."

GULP won the majority of seats. GNP won 2 [Blaize and W.R.L. Friday] of the 15 seats. Friday left the GNP, joined the GULP party and became Minister of Education.

Gairy had been making his moves for Grenadian independence with Britain since 1970 and in May of 1973, both Gairy and Blaize argued the case concerning constitutionality in London. Check the page Independence 1974 .

A national strike, led by the Committee of 22, began 1 January 1974 prior to Independence and continued actively for about three weeks.

The Committee of 22 was a joint effort by trade unions (except Gairy's GMMWU), civic organizations, the major church denominations, transportation and accommodation groups, plus many other groups. The NJM tried to join but were informed the Committee was a non-partisan political body.

The reason for the strike concerned independence and the lack of a referendum taken from the people of Grenada.People felt there were no adequate guarantees for the constitutional maintenance of civil rights. Grenadians were protesting the beatings [including Bloody Sunday and arbitrary arrests. The people were suspicious of what was up Gairy's sleeve. The country shut down. There were massive demonstrations. On 21 January, the confrontation between demonstrators and police with the death of Maurice Bishop's father, Rupert, was coined Bloody Monday.

Gairy had an 'official prayer' issued by the government printing office to be read out in schools:

"Have mercy upon our Prime Minister Designate, Eric Matthew Gairy, remove from him all dark evil and negative conditions that may be around him; an evil force that may try to tie him down or weigh him down or burden him in any ay or tend to prevent him to perform his obligations more promptly and more effectively. Save him from all danger and all malice, jealousy and hate of his enemies. Save him from their arms, weapons and whatever plots and schemes they may formulate against him . . ."

Independence from Great Britain did come to Grenada on 7 February 1974. Gairy made the most of the celebrations, especially the night before when in his speech he declared:

"We are now completely free, liberated, independent. In spite of a wicked, malicious, obstructive, destructive minority of noise-making self-publicists, God has heard our prayers. God has been merciful. God has triumphed."

As early as 9 September 1977, Gairy was meeting with President Jimmy Carter in the White House. Zbigniew Brzezinski attended the meeting where Carter and Gairy both talked of their personal UFO sightings and making UFOs an agenda item at the United Nations.

The elections of 7 November 1976, retained Gairy. There were allegations of tampering with election rolls, that only GULP candidates were permitted to use loudspeakers at their political rallies, that election officials were government employees [members of GULP]. Gairy won this election; Bishop became the leader of the opposition."

In 1977, Gairy aided and supported the establishment of St. George's Medical School. The university was founded by an act of the Grenada parliament and opened in 1978.

In 1977, Gairy was knighted and became Sir Eric Gairy [there must be an interesting story about this]. Gairy's Secret Police was active making investigations on members of the New JEWEL Movement. Also in 1977, Gairy forged links with Chile and General Pinochet in the manner of 'counterinsurgency' training for the Grenada military and police, and receiving arms and ammunition.

In October 1977, Gairy addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. He urged members to set up an Agency for Psychic Research into Unidentified Flying Objects and the Bermuda Triangle. He published his speeches to the UN in Grenada with a cover showing a UFO hovering over him as he was speaking to that body. He wanted 1978 to be established as 'The Year of the UFO.'

By 10 March 1979, New JEWEL Movement [NJM] leaders, whose homes were being searched once more by Gairy's police force, believed that they were to be arrested or murdered, and went into hiding. Vincent Noel of the NJM was already incarcerated.

Gairy was on his way to New York to attend a Conference on the International Year of the Child. He most likely had plans to lobby UN officials to pay attention to outer space matters. In Barbados, on 11-12 March, Gairy was introduced by US Ambassador to Grenada, Frank Ortiz, to US Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents on their way to Grenada to investigate the shipment of arms from the US into Grenada.

After the coup d'etat of 13 March 1979, Gairy lived in New York, under US surveillance, and shortly moved to San Diego where his actions were monitored by the US government. He made radio broadcasts out of WLIB in New York City. Under the U.S. Neutrality Act, Gairy could not legally mount an invasion of Grenada from the United States.

In 1984, Eric Mathew Gairy returned to Grenada from exile in the United States. In his elder years, he suffered from a stroke, failing eyesight and mental instability.

Prime Minister Eric Gairy of Grenada and President Jimmy Carter meet in the White House on September 9, 1977. Both men had sighted UFOs, and Gairy had attempted to put the topic of UFOs on the United Nations Agenda.

UFOs were discussed at the September 9th meeting, but the related NSC documents from the files of Zbigniew Brzezenski, who attended the meeting, are still classified.

Gairy died on 23 August 1997.

A state funeral was given for a unique personality

in the history of Grenadian politics.