HOME	AUGUST 28st, 2004

AUGUST 28

Executive members of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) laid wreaths at the grave side of its political leader, former Prime Minister of Grenada Sir. Eric Matthew Gairy on Monday.

Political Leader Gloria Payne-Banfield, Deputy Political Leader Reynold Benjamin, President Wilfred Hayes along with Edith McDonald Sir. Eric's daughter, participated in the ceremony at the Center Cemetery in St. George's. Monday marked seven years since the passing of Sir Eric, who was the founding member of the GULP that ruled Grenada for twenty seven years.

Known as the Father of Independence as well as for his charisma and flamboyance, the former Prime Minister was very instrumental in obtaining Independence for this country from Great Britain in 1974.

His party however was forcibly removed from power in 1979 when the New Jewel Movement (NJM) led by Marxist leader and Barrister at-Law Maurice Bishop took up arms in a coup de tat bringing an end to the Gairy era.

Following the collapse of the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) in 1983 that led to the death of Bishop and several of his Cabinet colleagues, Sir. Eric returned to the country and begun re-organising his party. He failed however to win his seat in any of the general elections that had taken place in the country before his death on August 23 1997.

Members of the Grenada Maritime Manual and Intellectual Workers Union (GMMIWU) which Sir Eric also founded held a church service in his remembrance at Grenville Catholic Church last Sunday.