Black Power Movement:

Introduction:

Throughout history there have been countless acts and events of oppression on Africans in
countries such as the United States of America and furthermore the Republic of Trinidad and
Tobago.During the 1960's, Black Power Movement was influenced in TnT by an ideology called
Pan Africanism.

1960-1964:

Events in the United States in the 1960s had a significant impact on black people in Trinidad.

1962: TnT became independent 31st August.

National Ideologies appealed increasingly to the urban disposed at this time, and there was also
a high level of racial discrimination attached to the movement.

230 trade disputes in TnT

1967 - 1970:

1967:

The leader of the OWTU, George Weekes spoke up and against the PNM and he also compared
the racism and struggle faced in North America and TnT.

1968:

Disturbances in,Jamaica that had a profound impact on students at UWI campus in Trinidad.

1969:

April:

NJAC played a significant role in rallying popular support. They played a large role in organizing
a bus strike for two months.The bus strike involved more than 650 OWTU workers. Several
union leaders were arrested making the situation much worse with the government.

1970:
26th February:

This movement was the largest in the region. Protestors were from all over Trinidad; educated,
uneducated and unemployed. Massive demonstration in Port of Spain as a sign of solidarity and
was lead by Maakandal Daaga.

Raffique Shah was a militant lieutenant of the TnT regiment and was also a trade unionist. He
lead an army in the riot to rebel against the government that day. This riot scared the
government and Prime Minister Eric Williams called a state of emergency.