Dear Editor,

I read with interest Clare Forrester’s November 16 article, “How balanced and fair are media opinions on the issue of garrison constituencies?” It includes the quote:

“…several youths…would organise themselves into a group to provide protection for visiting comrades and their families…

“The group referred to themselves as a garrison of support reminiscent of the colourful Roman garrisons of historic times. Hence Michael, in his usual platform style, hailed them as his “paseros”. Bertram also told me that at the time ‘Burry Boy’ was an unknown entity as far as the PNP was concerned.”

This is not supported by the historical documentation. Here is an excerpt from Obika Gray’s 2004 book, Demeaned But Empowered.

“… the infamous Garrison gang, a group of PNP toughs, carried out acts of intimidation and perpetrated violence and mayhem on behalf of constituency representative, Michael Manley…Manley…at a public rally late in 1974 commended the enforcers… “… I thank my Paseros of the Garrison – Skully, Val, Boots, Vinnie, Burry, Bernard, Spar, as a glory.” (pp 150-151).

“Prime Minister Manley and several Cabinet members led 20,000 mourners at Winston ‘Burry Boy’ Blake’s March 1975 funeral.” (p 187)

Why would the prime minister and cabinet ministers lead 20,000 people at the funeral of an “unknown entity”?

Obija Gray’s excellent book details the “colourful” career of this “unknown entity”.

Here are some excerpts from a January 20, 2008 Observer article, “Burry Boy and Feathermop: The violent duo that helped and shamed the PNP” by Karyl Walker.

(1) “Burry Boy and Feathermop were two of the leading members of a PNP-aligned gang which had its roots in Concrete Jungle. The gang members…wreaked havoc on dissenting residents and their rivals in the JLP with shocking brutality.

“From 1967 through to 1976 the gang had been instrumental in securing Manley’s success at the polls in the newly-formed Central Kingston constituency. Burry Boy and Feathermop were the leaders of the street arm of the PNP in Central Kingston, South St Andrew and South West St Andrew.

“By 1974…the gang led by Blake and Spence had widened its power base and ran amok in the city.

Supported and protected by their political bosses, the two were immune to police action and literally ‘got away with murder’.”

(2) “A few weeks later, the political gang was said to be behind the chopping of party member Trevor Munroe, when they broke up a strike by disgruntled port workers…

“Munroe received several chops all over his body and was seriously injured as the gang assaulted the workers and representatives of his University and Allied Workers Union, which had attempted to canvass the restive workers.”

(3) “Burry Boy and Feathermop became so notorious that they were included in Prime Minister Manley’s entourage on his historic trip to Cuba…”

Imagine the Prime Minister taking an “unknown entity” on a historic trip to Cuba!

As for what is a garrison and which constituencies are garrisons, I refer Ms Forrester to the 1997 “Report of the National Committee on Political Tribalism”, often called the Kerr Garrison Report.

It is indispensable reading for anyone purporting to give a “balanced and fair” account of garrisons.

Barry Baxter

Montego Bay, St James