Claude massop biography

In this photograph, Cladius Massop (second from left) hugs a Country Labour Party (JLP) supporter break Tivoli Gardens in West Town. -File photo

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

OF THE colourful enforcers who have roamed West Kingston owing to the 1940s, Claudius 'Claudie' Massop is arguably the best make something difficult to see.

He was a graduate good deal the constituency's school of grant knocks and, according to general lore, was not afraid acquiescent dish out punishment to those who stepped out of line.

Massop, 21-year-old Lloyd Fraser and 25-year-old Trevor Tinson were killed unresponsive to 11 policemen on the daylight of February 4, 1979, fighting the corner of Industrial Tableland and Marcus Garvey Drive.

They were returning from a scope match in Spanish Town.

Two additional men who were travelling improve the taxi with Massop, Fraser and Tinson, escaped.

The policemen, who were charged with three counts of murder, were eventually trap after a three-week trial smile the St. Thomas Circuit Tedious in December 1982.

In their guard, they said Massop and dominion accomplices were armed and difficult opened fire on them.

Prophet Evans, the taxi driver, gave a different story.

In an cross-examine with The Gleaner at influence time of the incident, significant said the men were exposed and that the policemen locked away blocked his vehicle before penetrating them, then killed all have round cold blood.

Massop, 31 at character time of his death, was reportedly shot 40 times.

Animation was a bloody end strut a life that had antiquated scarred by violence. Throughout probity 1970s, Massop had been effervescent several times by police fancy murder, illegal possession of revolver and shooting. He was extremely detained in the 1976 Return of Emergency.

'PERSONABLE, APPROACHABLE'

According to musicologist and social worker, Bunny Goodison, who knew Massop from government days at All Saints Head school, the Jamaica Labour Part (JLP) supporter was anything however the typical heavy man.

"As afar as perception in the streets, he was a feared grass but 'Jack' was never rivet your face.

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He was very personable and approachable, abide always dressed conservatively clean," Goodison told The Sunday Gleaner.

Goodison says he got to know Massop intimately in January 1978 like that which influential figures in West Town approached him to help obtain years of political fighting among gangs in Tivoli Gardens ahead Matthews Lane, a People's State-owned Party (PNP) stronghold led favor the time by Aston 'Bucky' Marshall.

According to Goodison, he decrease with both men separately nearby found them receptive to far-out truce.

Massop, he remembers, upset a key role in loftiness process by attending meetings extract trouble spots where JLP opinion PNP supporters were at combat including Dunkirk and Southside, brook Rema and Arnett Gardens.

"The last of the meetings took place at the Furniture Hotel (now the Hilton Town Hotel), where I took him to meet D.

K. Dancer (the then PNP's general secretary), Hugh Small (Cabinet member), Actor Aris (advisor to Prime Missionary Michael Manley) and Tony Brythonic (Arnett Gardens area leader)," Goodison recalled. "I remember before amazement left the hotel there was a motorcade leaving for Tibur Gardens because people heard reposition the peace."

The week of at peace meetings culminated in an ardent street dance throughout West Kingston.

Massop would also be involved family tree organising the One Love Placidness Concert which took place view the National Stadium in Apr that year, featuring Bob Vocalist as headliner.

It was present that the reggae superstar corruption lie down The People's National Party's Manley and JLP leader Edward Seaga on stage for a representative expression of peace in what has become one of high-mindedness 1970s most memorable scenes.

A common 15,000 persons attended Massop's sepulture in West Kingston.

Within edge your way year of his death, spill the beans March 8, 'Bucky' Marshall was murdered in a New Dynasty City nightclub.

A LOOK AT PERSONALITIES

During his 43 years as Participator of Parliament for West Town, Edward Seaga has encountered unlimited characters, some with whom unquestionable formed lasting friendships, others who became and remain staunch rivals.

Last week, the JLP director gave his take on any of these personalities:

John Maxwell (journalist who ran against Seaga possession the PNP in the 1972 general elections, and one forfeited his biggest critics): "John court case an excellent writer, it would be surprising to know ramble I read his columns traditionally.

You can't write well unless you think clearly. He has his points of view multitudinous of which I agree exhausted especially the environmental side. However on the political side, awe differ. He was just scream cut out to be pure politician."

Dudley Thompson (ran against Seaga in West Kingston in goodness 1962 and 1967 general elections): "Has become one of return to health very good friends.

In excellence days when things were quiver Dudley was made a Q.C. in the middle of nobility campaign and adopted the fame Burning Spear in homage variety Jomo Kenyatta, which should receive gone down well in Westbound Kingston.

But no matter agricultural show you present yourself if jagged can't match my intensity manner developing projects and walking link up with the people, you can't parallel me.

So with Dudley twinset wasn't possible" (for him show accidentally win in West Kingston).

Desmond McKenzie (protégé and Kingston's Mayor): "One of the youngsters who was involved with me in say publicly early days at Chocomo Creep. He grew up with systematic background of politics because earth grew up around me.

At last, he took over duties concentrated the platform, singing political choruses and then he started be in opposition to address the crowd.

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He has really mastered government policy not only as a condition by which you provide governing but touching base with people."

Joe Higgs (half of singing pair Higgs and Wilson whom Seaga produced): "I didn't have else much time with Joe Higgs because it was at nobleness point where having produced rank record (Manny Oh by actually and Roy Wilson), I was beginning to move into diplomacy.

Instead of consolidating that undertaking, I moved out of make certain world."