Manmay LaKay Magazine Issue 2 April 2018 | Page 12

Under Sir John's
leadership, bananas
replaced sugarcane as the
main crop and source of
income.

But before then – in 1957 –
he encouraged sugarcane
workers to go on strike for
better working conditions.
There were roadblocks and
reports of workers
threatening the lives and
homes of white plantation
owners.
16. The police charged Sir
John but the people he had
laid his life on the line for
-- protested outside the
courthouse and so Sir John
was fined instead.
That conflict led to Sir John
getting arrested. But the
people he had laid his life
on the line for protested
outside the courthouse and
Sir John was only fined for
obstructing roads.
In July of 1979, ironically the
same year Sir John led
St. Lucia to Independence, he
lost the elections. How so?
Because many folks were not
convinced that Independence
was the right step for St. Lucia
at the time.
Sir John was a very
humble man. Albeit a
wealthy banana and
coconut farmer, he drove
around in a green beat up
pickup.
17.  In July of 1979, the
same year he led
St.Lucia to
Independence, he lost
the elections.