Description

We rarely, if ever, get a chance to talk to leaders of countries we invade. Saddam Hussein, Ho Chi Minh, and Fidel Castro were not available. But we have a unique opportunity to learn about the U.S. invasion of Grenada from Bernard Coard, who until two weeks before the U.S. invasion was the Deputy Prime Minister, and who after the invasion spent 26 years in jail.

Bernard, who received his B.A. in the U.S. and his PHD in England, and his lifelong friend, Maurice Bishop, founded the New Jewel Movement and in 1979, ousted the dictator who had taken over from the British.

The New Jewel Movement was quite successful, but the U.S. refused to recognize it, fearing it was too left leaning. Although assistance came from European countries, the opposition of the U.S. pushed the government closer to Cuba.

In October 1983, a rift emerged in the government. Bishop, with the support of Cuba, moved to consolidate his power, while Bernard, the Deputy Prime Minister, was vilified.

Bernard knew it was not safe for him, so on Oct. 13, 1983, he resigned and decided to leave Grenada with his wife and children.

Before he could leave, violence erupted. No one was sure who initiated it- rebels, criminals, Cubans, the CIA-but Prime Minister Bishop was among those killed.

Bernard saw his movement fracturing. He feared being trapped between the United States and Cuba, either of which might invade. The country was in chaos. Rather than leave, Bernard chose to remain and help his country.

Six days later, the U.S. invaded. The stated reason was to protect a group of medical students, but the real reason was the fear in the U.S. of Communism spreading to more countries.

Bernard and his wife were both arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. His wife died in 2000 and Bernard was released after 26 years in prison. This will be among the first opportunities to hear about the U.S. invasion from his point of view.

This is a far more complex story than it would first appear. It is a story of a small country trying to emerge from colonialism and build its government and its economy. It is a story of a small country trapped between Ronald Reagan’s anti-communist rhetoric and Castro’s Communism. It is a story of a successful movement suddenly fracturing under the political pressures from both the U.S. and Cuba.

In the past, 39 years since his arrest, Bernard has approached all of these issues in an extremely thoughtful manner.

Now, we have the unique opportunity to discuss directly with Bernard Coard all the events surrounding the Grenada’s attempt to emerge from colonialism, the U.S. invasion, and the mistakes made by both sides.

Please join us on Dec. 6 at 12:30 ET for a Zoom discussion with Bernard Coard.

For more information, visit Coard’s Wikipedia Page and read his book outlines and bio.

Participants must register by Noon on December 5th to receive details on joining the discussion. The Zoom link will be sent out 24 hours before the event.

Please note that no refunds will be issued.