Andrew Sage

In 1969, there was a violent confrontation against US soldiers by students and workers protesting the US occupation of the Panama Canal zone.

Curacao was shaken by wildcat strikes of workers.

Riots were employed and unemployed as well.

Labour unrest is breaking out in Suriname leading to a general strike.

Antigua had riot strikes and demonstrations over several years.

Jamaica had workers at the Western Meatpackers establish democratic control of their trade union local, taking full control over their union dues and negotiating with the employer without official mediators to manage the sugar workers in the local community directly.

And of course, infamously, in 1970, Trinidad was shaken up as workers, academics, and small farmers linked up against the system led by the government of Prime Minister Eric Williams.

And after years of his rule under the slogan, Mass a Day Done, the people erupted against the neocolonial system.

Despite being ruled by this black leader, the hundreds of people in the streets championed black power, understanding what was needed was a people's politics in which new institutions could emerge.

This black power revolution in Trinidad was inspired in part by the black civil rights struggle in the United States, while also seeking to unite the African and Indian populations in Trinidad.

After an attempted mutiny by the army and Venezuelan and American gunboats standing by ready to intervene, the military surrendered, the revolutionary initiative shifted away from the masses, and Dr. Eric Williams was saved.

By 1973, a few armed guerrillas remained in the hills of Trinidad, but eventually their struggle was snuffed out by 1975.

In Guadeloupe, you had wildcat strikes taking place.

Guyana had wildcat strikes against the American and Canadian-owned bauxite companies.

Suriname had another general strike.

St.

Lucia experienced a wildcat strike.

Dominica attempted to seize the British-owned Castle Bruce Estates.

In Jamaica, there was a wave of appropriations from banks, warehouses, stores, betting shops and more across Kingston, and demonstrations initiated by students and workers against police brutality and for the release of prisoners.

And in 1979, Nicaragua had their revolution against the US Allied government.