Who were involved? -Chinese Middle School Students -Workers from the Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU) -Six other bus companies. (Rival)
Why did it happen?
Stirred up by communism.
The bus drivers went to negotiate with the bus company for the low pay but it failed. The workers went on strike. Hock Lee Bus Company brought in new workers after that. Fong Swee Suan instigated riots against the Hock Lee Bus Company.
When did it happen?
April 23,1955 when it strikes. May 12, 1955 when the riot took place.
How did it happen?
The people who started the riot were the workers of the Hock Lee Amalgated Bus Co, members of the procommunist Singapore Bus Workers' Union (SBWU). The rival union with about 200 spare workers was formed by the bus company to avert any possibility of strikes by the SBWUs. The strikers stopped the buses from leaving the depots, crippling the country's entire transport system. Students from the Chinese Middle School came in busloads and joined the strikers in a show of support. They organised donation drives, brought food and money and even entertained the workers with songs and dances. On April 27, 1955, police tried to break up the strikers and injured 15 people. On 12 May 1955, later known as "Black Thursday", a major riot broke out in the streets. The police tried to break up the 2,000 students and strikers using water cannon and tear gas but the crowd retaliated by stoning the policemen and buses. But it also causes death and injuries.
What happened after the riot?
The police managed to stop the violence by the next morning. Later, Hock Lee Bus Company and the SBWU signed a ruling issued by the Court of Inquiry. The strikers' jobs and pay were restored and they declared victory for their action. David Marshall, Chief Minister of Singapore then expelled student leaders who were involved in the rioting and closed down two schools where the most students had been involved. The students were defiant. On 16 May 1955, about two thousand students forced their way into the two schools. Anxious parents, friends and supporters came daily to give students food and clothing. The British authorities were critical of Marshall for not taking tougher actions towards the rioters and strikers. They would later reject his proposal for independence in 1956 , claiming that the local government was not able to manage internal security, and as a result Marshall would resign.
This riot caused4 death and 31 persons injured.
Chinese Middle Students
Boys and girls from some of Singapore's Chinese middle schools
battle with police during the 1954 student riots.
Police train fire hoses on picketing busmen who have turned backs and
crouched low to resist the attempt to drive them from the
gates of Hock Lee bus depot in Alexandra Road.
Rioters clash with police.
Mr David Marshall first Chief Minister Of Singapore in 1955
Who were involved? -Chinese Middle School Students -Workers from the Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU) -Six other bus companies. (Rival)
Why did it happen?
Stirred up by communism.
The bus drivers went to negotiate with the bus company for the low pay but it failed. The workers went on strike. Hock Lee Bus Company brought in new workers after that. Fong Swee Suan instigated riots against the Hock Lee Bus Company.
When did it happen?
April 23,1955 when it strikes. May 12, 1955 when the riot took place.
How did it happen?
The people who started the riot were the workers of the Hock Lee Amalgated Bus Co, members of the procommunist Singapore Bus Workers' Union (SBWU). The rival union with about 200 spare workers was formed by the bus company to avert any possibility of strikes by the SBWUs. The strikers stopped the buses from leaving the depots, crippling the country's entire transport system. Students from the Chinese Middle School came in busloads and joined the strikers in a show of support. They organised donation drives, brought food and money and even entertained the workers with songs and dances. On April 27, 1955, police tried to break up the strikers and injured 15 people. On 12 May 1955, later known as "Black Thursday", a major riot broke out in the streets. The police tried to break up the 2,000 students and strikers using water cannon and tear gas but the crowd retaliated by stoning the policemen and buses. But it also causes death and injuries.
What happened after the riot?
The police managed to stop the violence by the next morning. Later, Hock Lee Bus Company and the SBWU signed a ruling issued by the Court of Inquiry. The strikers' jobs and pay were restored and they declared victory for their action. David Marshall, Chief Minister of Singapore then expelled student leaders who were involved in the rioting and closed down two schools where the most students had been involved. The students were defiant. On 16 May 1955, about two thousand students forced their way into the two schools. Anxious parents, friends and supporters came daily to give students food and clothing. The British authorities were critical of Marshall for not taking tougher actions towards the rioters and strikers. They would later reject his proposal for independence in 1956 , claiming that the local government was not able to manage internal security, and as a result Marshall would resign.
This riot caused4 death and 31 persons injured.
Chinese Middle Students
Boys and girls from some of Singapore's Chinese middle schools
battle with police during the 1954 student riots.
Police train fire hoses on picketing busmen who have turned backs and
crouched low to resist the attempt to drive them from the
gates of Hock Lee bus depot in Alexandra Road.
Rioters clash with police.
Mr David Marshall first Chief Minister Of Singapore in 1955
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Hock Lee Bus Riots
