Excerpts
Chapter 2, Page 45
‘In that same speech, Gairy went on to talk about his own entry into the political
field in Grenada in the 1950s and his fight against colonialism. He spoke
about what he saw as the needs of the country. At the same time in light of the
potential situation of unrest, he indicated his plans for the preparedness of law
enforcement bodies and said the following:
“…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
getting in almost unlimited supplies of new and modern equipment…my
government will not sit by and allow individuals or groups of individuals
to agitate or incite, to promulgate or to promote any racial disharmony in
this peaceful ‘Isle of Spice’ – the Caribbean Garden of Eden.
Today Barbados is providing strong legislative powers with heavy penalties
to curtail any such acts…law and order will always reign supreme
in this great little state of ours…The Opposition referred to my recruiting
criminals in a reserve force. To this I shall not say yea or nay… 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. Every man engaged in any form of subversive activity is being
watched… I am calling upon all responsible Grenadians to band ourselves
together in preparation against threat of Black Power or any other
subversive movement that may wish to lift its ugly head in the presence
of a peaceful and quiet country…”
In those excerpts of Gairy’s speech in 1970, Gairy indicated to the world that
his government would be prepared to rely on a large measure of support from
some of the “toughest and roughest roughnecks” that were recruited. It was a
significant and unfortunate statement that would come
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