by Dr. The Hon. RALPH E. GONSALVES, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines SIR JAMES Fitz-Allen Mitchell KCMG PC, former Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, died on November 23, 2021, at the age of 90 years. Sir James’ basic biographic data are well-known: He was born on May 15, 1931; he received his formal education at the Bequia Primary School, the St. Vincent Boy’s Grammar …
by Dr. The Hon. RALPH E. GONSALVES, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines SIR JAMES Fitz-Allen Mitchell KCMG PC, former Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, died on November 23, 2021, at the age of 90 years. Sir James’ basic biographic data are well-known: He was born on May 15, 1931; he received his formal education at the Bequia Primary School, the St. Vincent Boy’s Grammar …
So outrageous were the “Dread Bills”, tabled by the government in Parliament in May 1981, that not only did they evoke massive local protest but caused a flood of condemnation from abroad, in the Caribbean as well as further afield. These in turn helped to strengthen local resolve to demand the withdrawal of the Bills. However, in spite of these waves of opposition to the repressive Bills, the government would …
So outrageous were the “Dread Bills”, tabled by the government in Parliament in May 1981, that not only did they evoke massive local protest but caused a flood of condemnation from abroad, in the Caribbean as well as further afield. These in turn helped to strengthen local resolve to demand the withdrawal of the Bills. However, in spite of these waves of opposition to the repressive Bills, the government would …
Russell sends damning resignation Social Share
As St Vincent and the Grenadines entered the last two weeks of May 1981, it was a veritable cauldron, seething and bubbling with dissatisfaction and unrest. Seven trade unions had met on May 18 to form a united front to mobilize the public to fight to stop two dread pieces of legislation tabled in Parliament by the government, the Essential Services (Amendment) Bill and the Public Safety and Public Order Bill.
The government had its back forced against the wall and its resort to legal repression only made matters worse. The joint trade union body, called the Committee in Defence of Democracy (CDD) was strongly supported in its mobilisation efforts by the United People’s Movement (UPM), which despite its setback in the 1979 elections had become the most effective political opposition to the governing Labour Party. Then, to make matters worse, respected local barrister Mr. Henry Williams resigned from the post as Chairman