Harold Carter, the last known survivor of Antigua and Barbuda’s seminal 1951 protest movement known as the 39ers, has died at the age of 97. His passing occurred on Friday, merely days after commemorating his 97th birthday, marking the end of an era for the nation’s civil rights history.
In 1951, Carter was one of thirteen demonstrators arrested for leading organized protests against the entrenched plantocracy that dominated the islands’ socio-economic structure. This act of defiance positioned him within a vanguard of activists whose courageous campaigns were instrumental in catalyzing political reform and advancing the cause of self-determination.
The 39ers’ demonstrations represented a pivotal challenge to colonial-era power structures and are widely regarded by historians as a critical precursor to the labor movements and political awakening that eventually paved the way for Antigua and Barbuda’s independence. Carter’s lifelong commitment to social justice left an indelible imprint on the nation’s journey toward sovereignty.
His legacy is remembered not merely for that singular act of protest but for a lifetime of advocacy that inspired subsequent generations. Tributes from national figures and historians have highlighted his role as a living bridge to a transformative period in the Caribbean’s history, emphasizing the courage required to confront systemic oppression during that era.