As Grenada celebrates its 50^th anniversary of Independence, there is one name that still holds great significance the world over, serving as a reminder not only of the island’s once-troubled political reality but the strength and tenacity of its people and the revolutionary spirit that reverberates throughout the Spice Isle to this day.

Maurice Bishop, the second Prime Minister of Grenada and renowned leader of the New JEWEL Movement, was assassinated on October 19^th, 1983, at age 39, leaving a lasting legacy of power and resistance.

Your Caribbean Guide takes you through a few interesting facts about the man who changed the dynamics of Grenadian politics forever.

Early Life

Maurice Bishop was born to Grenadian parents Rupert and Elment Bishop on May 29, 1944, in Aruba. The family had migrated to Aruba before Bishop’s birth as his father was in search of better employment and living conditions. When Bishop was six years old, the family returned to Grenada where his father began operating a small retail shop in the capital, St. George’s.

The makings of a revolutionary

Maurice Bishop’s revolutionary spirit was ignited at a young age, while he was still a student at the Roman Catholic Presentation Brothers’ College. There, Bishop was elected president of the Student Council, and also had leadership positions at the school’s Debate Club and a History Study Group. He also worked as a lead editor on the school’s newspaper Student Voice.

In 1962, Bishop and Bernard Coard, who was at the time youth leader from Grenada Boys’ Secondary School, created a group they called the Grenada Assembly of Youth Fighting for Truth. It provided a space to invite other young people to develop and hone their interest in news and current affairs.

In1966 Bishop moved to London for studies, graduating with a degree in law from the University of London three years later in 1969. During his time abroad, Bishop helped found a legal aid office to assist the West Indies community in London. He also worked as an auditor in the British civil service before making his eventual return to Grenada in December 1970.

Bishop’s troubles begin

Upon his return to Grenada, Maurice Bishop continued his revolutionary efforts, taking up an offer to provide legal defence to a group of nurses who were striking at the time as they called for improved working conditions. Bishop and 30 other people were later arrested while protesting with the nurses.

After a trial that lasted seven months, they were all acquitted of the charges.

Bloody Sunday and Bloody Monday

Maurice Bishop’s New JEWEL Movement heavily opposed the leadership of Eric Gairy, Grenada’s first Prime Minister, who was often described as having dictatorial tactics, self-serving interests and wrath for his political opponents.

During a peaceful demonstration against Gairy’s regime on  January 21, 1974, also known as Bloody Monday, Rupert Bishop, the father of NJM leader Maurice Bishop, was murdered. His killing further galvanized further support for the NJM as the population began to reject the tense political climate, which was also having an impact on their socio-economic reality. 

The previous year on November 18, 1973, in an event known as Bloody Sunday, Bishop and five members of the NJM were badly beaten and tortured for their stance against the then government. Bishop’s beard was forcibly shaven to expose a broken jaw.

Maurice Bishop ousts Eric Gairy in bloodless coup

Maurice Bishop had a dream for what he saw as a freer and fairer Grenada and he believed a change in government was necessary to bring that to life.

On March 3, 1979, while Prime Minister Gairy was on an official trip to New York where he travelled to deliver an address to the United Nations, Bishop’s New JEWEL Movement staged a bloodless coup, naming leader him as the new Prime Minister under the People’s Revolutionary Government.

Bishop immediately moved to suspend the constitution, prioritising efforts to improve the island’s socio-economic development and education. In a post-colonial reality, his message also focused heavily on black rights and black liberation.

Delivering a speech before the 34th UN General Assembly in New York on 10 October 1979, Bishop boldly declared, “The advent of our Revolution has signalled the beginning of the end of the most dangerous and vicious stage of the colonial experience, that which we recognise as neo-colonialism…Moreover, this neo-colonial stage has also exposed our nation to the vicious, ruthless neo-fascist dictatorship of Eric Gairy. To you here at this renowned body, this petty dictator was known as “Mr. U.F.O.,” but to us in Grenada, this amusingly descriptive title did not hide the reality of a dictator whose closest links were with imperialism and international criminal elements and openly fascist and dictatorial regimes.”

Inspired by the Cuban Revolution

Maurice Bishop was heavily influenced by the politics of Cuba and the socialist agenda of Fidel Castro, with many of the Cuban leader’s ideologies mirrored in Bishop’s dream for Grenada.

Bishop himself acknowledged this influence, saying “In fact, for us it did not matter what we heard on the radio or read in the colonial press. For us, it comes down to the courage and legendary heroism of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara. …Nothing could overshadow this aspect of the Cuban Revolution.”

The assassination of Maurice Bishop

After Bishop became Prime Minister, in-fighting ensued in the New JEWEL Movement, with some members believing Bishop could no longer lead them. Bishop was eventually given an ultimatum- to step down or agree to a power-sharing agreement with the Deputy Prime Minister, Bernard Coard.

After rejecting both proposals, Bishop forcibly removed from office and placed under house arrest in October 1983.

On October 19^th, Bishop and three members of his Cabinet were executed by armed forces at the military headquarters in the capital St George’s.

After he was killed, Bishop’s throat was slit and one of his fingers cut off and his ring stolen.

Unknown location of remains

To this day, no one knows for certain where Bishop’s remains are. Following his assassination, his body was reportedly seized and burned in a pit, though the location is uncertain. It has also been suggested that Bishop’s body was seized by US forces and taken to that country following the United States occupation of Grenada.

His family has long lamented their inability to give the slain leader a proper burial.