Rioters throwing stones at police

The Hock Lee bus riots occurred on May 12, 1955, in Singapore. 4 people were killed and 31 injured in the violence. Image File history File links Hock Lee Bus Riots, 12 May 1955, Singapore. ... Image File history File links Hock Lee Bus Riots, 12 May 1955, Singapore. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1955 (MCMLV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Strikes begin

On April 23, 1955, workers from the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company began to go on strike. They were members of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union (SBWU) and were protesting against poor working conditions, long work hours and low pay. They also felt threatened by a rival union who were supported by the bus company to counter any labour action by SBWU. April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ... 1955 (MCMLV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The strike was also instigated by the pro-communists. Singapore had just held a Legislative Assembly Election on April, and the Labour Front led by David Marshall formed a minority government after winning a narrow victory. Fong Swee Suan and Lim Chin Siong, two pro-communist leaders of SBWU, therefore felt it was an opportunity to foster social instability and unrest to discredit the British authorities and Marshall's local government. The Labour Front is a political party in Singapore. ... David Marshall, wearing his political uniform of white bush-jacket and grey trousers, with a hammer David Saul Marshall (1908-1995) was the leader of the Singapore Labour Front who became the first Chief Minister of Singapore in 1955. ... A young Lim Chin Siong during a political rally. ...

The strikers stopped the buses from leaving the depots and crippled the country's entire transport system. In a show of support, students from the Chinese Middle schools came in busloads to joined the strikers. They organised donation drives, brought food and money, and even entertained the workers with songs and dances. Other workers also expressed support.

The police attempted to disperse the picketers many times. On April 27, 1955, police tried to break up the strikers and injured 15 people. This gained more public sympathy and support for the strikers.Riots ended on May 14th 1955. April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... 1955 (MCMLV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...