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