Following the US invasion of Grenada in October 1983 a vicious lie was spread throughout Grenada, the Caribbean and the rest of the world. This deliberate lie convinced Grenadians and people world wide that hundreds of school children and other people were massacred on Fort Rupert on October 19, 1983. Taking their cue from the Americans many "reputable" Grenadians continue to spread this rumour up to today despite the fact that they know better.

The facts reveal that twenty people lost their lives on that tragic day. These include four soldiers of The People Revolutionary Army (PRA) two of whom were on the first armored vehicle, which went to restore control of the Army’s Headquarters. There is a Plaque on Fort Rupert (now recalled Fort George) listing the names of sixteen people killed that day. It does not include the names of the four Grenadian soldiers who lost their lives there too. This Plaque was established with the full support of The Maurice Bishop Foundation, led by Dr. Terry Marryshow. Placing it there means that it was officially sanctioned by the Government of Grenada. Yet members of The Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement have been telling the world that hundreds of people were massacred on October 19, 1983. It is time to put an end to this lie.

When Bernard Coard et al were charged for murder, significantly, they were not charged for causing the death of hundreds of Grenadians. They were charged for causing the death of Maurice Bishop and 10 other persons. Below is a list of people reportedly killed on Fort Rupert on October 19, 1983. This list was published in a letter to "The Grenadian Voice" dated October 26, 1996.

Following the invasion of Grenada the occupying forces established a missing person’s bureau in St. George’s. They have never officially published the result of their findings. I suggest that they did not do so because the facts did not coincide with the lie they were telling the world - that hundreds of persons were killed on that day. Remember this lie was used as a pretext for justifying the invasion of Grenada. If there is any irrefutable evidence of any other person who died on that day then those who have that evidence must come forward with the details now or stop fooling the world.

It is my humble suggestion that the Government of Grenada should confirm to the Grenadian people and the world the truth on this matter. This will certainly help in their quest for truth, reconciliation and forgiveness and will go a long way in genuinely healing a hurting nation. Past and present leaders and supporters of The Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement, who are today calling for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, must join in exposing this truth too. They know that hundreds of school children were not massacred that day. They must admit this to the world. This will demonstrate their genuine commitment and conviction to their call! It must be noted also that some of these people lost their lives not by being shot but by unfortunately having to jump from the fort when the battle began.

In my analysis October 19 started as a political crisis which was horrifically transformed into a military crisis with the illegal storming of The People’s Revolutionary Army (PRA) Headquarters. Nonetheless, I want to state emphatically that not one of the above persons should have died. I extend my regret and deepest sympathy to the survivors of all those who lost their loved ones. However, I state, without hesitation, that all the leaders of the Grenada revolution, including myself, must be held morally and politically accountable and responsible for the October 19 tragedy. All of us - bar none - took or failed to take decisions that led to that tragedy.