Editing Eric Williams (section)

==Black Power==
{{main|Black Power Revolution}}
Between 1968 and 1970 the [[Black Power]] movement gained strength in Trinidad and Tobago. The leadership of the movement developed within the Guild of Undergraduates at the [[Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago|St. Augustine]] Campus of the [[University of the West Indies]]. Led by [[Geddes Granger]], the [[National Joint Action Committee]] joined up with [[Trade Union|trade unionists]] led by George Weekes of the [[Oilfields Workers' Trade Union]] and [[Basdeo Panday]], then a young trade-union [[lawyer]] and activist. The [[Black Power Revolution]] started during the 1970 [[Carnival]]. In response to the challenge, Williams countered with a broadcast entitled "I am for Black Power". He introduced a 5% levy to fund unemployment reduction and established the first locally owned commercial bank. However, this intervention had little impact on the protests.

On 3 April 1970, a protester was killed by the police. This was followed on 13 April by the resignation of [[A. N. R. Robinson]], [[Member of Parliament]] for [[Tobago]] East. On 18 April sugar workers went on strike, and there was the talk of a general strike. In response to this, Williams proclaimed a [[State of Emergency]] on 21 April and arrested 15 Black Power leaders. In response to this, a portion of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, led by [[Raffique Shah]] and [[Rex Lassalle]], mutinied and took hostages at the army barracks at Teteron. Through the action of the [[Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard]] the mutiny was contained and the mutineers surrendered on 25 April.

Williams made three additional speeches in which he sought to identify himself with the aims of the Black Power movement. He reshuffled his cabinet and removed three ministers (including two [[White people|White]] members) and three senators. He also proposed a Public Order Bill which would have curtailed civil liberties in an effort to control protest marches. After public opposition, led by A. N. R. Robinson and his newly created Action Committee of Democratic Citizens (which later became the [[Democratic Action Congress]]), the Bill was withdrawn. [[Attorney General]] [[Karl Hudson-Phillips]] offered to resign over the failure of the Bill, but Williams refused his resignation.
<!---===Oil boom===
===Williams' death===--->