Bustamante – Portrait of a Hero

Alexander Bustamante: Portrait of a Hero traces the humble beginnings of a man who fought for the rights of the poor and afflicted. Born William Alexander Clarke in Blenheim, Hanover, he later changed his name to Bustamante.

The Right Honourable Hugh Shearer brings to the forefront the many issues that Bustamante was faced with. In a period when civil unrest ruled the nation because of the lack of opportunities offered to the poor, Bustamante rose to the challenge and spoke for the common man. He established the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union which sought to recognise and protect the rights of the people.

He later founded the Jamaica Labour Party, Jamaica’s first political party after emancipation, it offered to the people a means through which their voices could be heard. He then went on to become the first Prime Minister of Jamaica.