Part III: When and how did it happen?
It happened on Thursday, May 12, 1955 and was known as the Black Thursday. As a results of losing their jobs, the workers gathered at the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company's depot in Alexandra. They sat in front of the gates to stop the buses from leaving the garage. On 27 April 1955, the police were called in. The protesters blocked the gates and threw stones at the police. The police had to use their batons to clear the crowd and as a result, 15 people were injured.
To support the protesters, more than 10,000 students from the nearby Chinese schools arrived everyday in lorries. They showed their support by bringing food, giving speeches and financial support, and entertaining the workers with songs and dances.
David Marshall, the chief minister at that time, tried to settle the disagreement between the company and the union by creating a Commission of Inquiry. But, both sides did not reach an agreement and the strikes continued.
Soon, the strikes began to grow and workers from 6 other bus companies joined the strike to protest against the government's treatment of fellow workers. The government called in the police to control the protesters by using fire hoses.
Tension began to build up and finally reached it's climax on May 12, 1955. About 20 lorries carrying the supportive students arrived at the Alexandra Depot. Around 4 p.m., the crowd started to attack the police with hard objects like bricks, stones and bottles.
To support the protesters, more than 10,000 students from the nearby Chinese schools arrived everyday in lorries. They showed their support by bringing food, giving speeches and financial support, and entertaining the workers with songs and dances.
David Marshall, the chief minister at that time, tried to settle the disagreement between the company and the union by creating a Commission of Inquiry. But, both sides did not reach an agreement and the strikes continued.
Soon, the strikes began to grow and workers from 6 other bus companies joined the strike to protest against the government's treatment of fellow workers. The government called in the police to control the protesters by using fire hoses.
Tension began to build up and finally reached it's climax on May 12, 1955. About 20 lorries carrying the supportive students arrived at the Alexandra Depot. Around 4 p.m., the crowd started to attack the police with hard objects like bricks, stones and bottles.
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