Hong Kong 1956 riots

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Hong Kong 1956 protests
1956riot 03.jpg
Hong Kong police force dispatched its Anti-Protest Squad officers
Date10 - 12 October 1956
Location
Caused byThe resettlement office staff removed the Republic of China Flag and the large "Double Ten" emblem hanging from Lei Cheng Uk Estate, and the rightists intervened and evolved. Conflict
Goals
MethodsGathering, Strikes, Demonstrations, Arsons, Occupations, Police Attacks
Resulted in
  • People involved in the protest were arrested or deported
  • Diplomatic note of the Government of the People's Republic of China and protest against the British Government
  • Republic of China Government and China Nationalist Party weakened in Hong Kong
  • British government seriously considers Hong Kong's future
  • Protests quelled
Parties to the civil conflict
Rights

stand by
Lead figures
Alexander Grantham
Governor

E.B. David
Colonial Secretary

Arthur Crawford Maxwell
Commissioner of Police
Casualties
Death(s)59
Injuries500
Arrested6,000 [1]
Charged 2,195 [1]
Hong Kong 1956 riots
1956riot 04.jpg
Protest photos
Traditional Chinese 雙十暴動
Literal meaning Double Tenth riots

The Hong Kong 1956 protests, also known as Double Ten riots, were the result of escalating provocations between pro-Nationalist and pro-Communist factions in Hong Kong during Double Ten Day, 10 October 1956. [2]

Most violence took place in the town of Tsuen Wan, five miles from central Kowloon. A mob stormed and ransacked a clinic and welfare centre, killing four people. [3]

The protests spread to other parts of Kowloon including along Nathan Road. By 11 October, some of the mob began targeting foreigners. Protesters in Kowloon turned over a taxi carrying the Swiss Vice Consul Fritz Ernst and his wife on Nathan Road. The protesters doused the cab in gasoline and lit it on fire resulting in the death of the driver and Mrs. Ernst who succumbed to her injuries two days later. [4]

To quell the protesting, Colonial Secretary Edgeworth B. David ordered extra manpower from the British Forces Hong Kong, including armoured troops of 7th Hussars, to reinforce the Hong Kong Police and disperse the rioters. [3] In total, there were 59 deaths and approximately 500 injuries. Property damage was estimated at US$1,000,000. [2] [5]

See also

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Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (August 2019) August events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

The month of August 2019 in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests saw a continuation of protests throughout the city. Several of the peaceful daytime protests were held by social groups such as families, the elderly, and various professions. In many instances, peaceful protests occurs during the day, turning increasingly violent at night. In some instances, white- or blue-shirted armed groups were attacking protesters and even passersby caught up in the conflict, although not at the scale of the Yuen Long violence of 21 July. Protesters aimed at drawing international attention through methods such as extended sit-ins at the airport. In many occasions, an eye injury of a female protester who had served as frontline medical staff became an symbol of the protests. At the airport protests, a mainland journalist was violently tackled by protesters who did not revealed his identity to the protesters. Protesters later apologised for this incident, reducing tensions and satifying some pro-establishment lawmakers. Heavy-handed police tactics, which included the first use of water cannons and live warning shots caused further controversy, fueling further protests throughout the city.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (September 2019) September events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

The month of September in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests saw again citywide unrest. Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on 4 September that the extradition bill, in suspension since July, would be fully withdrawn, which fulfilled one of the five demands of the protesters. Also, following an earlier promise, Lam held a discussion session with randomly selected members of the public on 26 September. These acts, however, had little to no effect on the protests, as protesters insisted that all of the five demands be met. That this latter goal would be hard, if not impossible, to achieve – due to the very limited room given to Lam's administration by mainland Chinese authorities, as transpired from comments by officials – did not discourage the protesters from continuing to take to the streets.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (October 2019) October events of the 2019–20 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

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Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (November 2019) November events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

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Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (December 2019) December events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

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Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (January 2020) January events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

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Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (February 2020) February events of the 2019–20 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

In late January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic started to gain more concerns from the public due to its severity. In early February, consequently, the organizers announced to suspend the demonstrations. Alternatively, the protests over responses to the outbreak were held in various districts. The largest demonstrations besides the outbreak protests were to commemorate the July 21 Yuen Long attack and August 31 Prince Edward station attack, as well as the death of Chow Tsz-lok and Chan Yin-lam.

References

  1. 1 2 "Two riots and one unrest during 50s and 60s of Hong Kong, killing 111 in total. Curfew and martial law once implemented". Ming Pao (in Chinese). 15 February 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  2. 1 2 HKheadline.com. "HKheadline.com." 雙十暴動:香港最血腥的一天. Retrieved on 7 July 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Hong Kong: Trouble on the Double Ten", Time Monday, 22 Oct. 1956
  4. "Trouble on the Double Tenth: Riots, Fear And Sudden Death In Hong Kong" (PDF). The Pagoda Magazine. Vol. Vol. 17, No. 22. Jamaica BWI: Pagoda Ltd. 3 November 1956. p. 3, 15. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  5. Chu, Yingchi. [2003] (2003). Hong Kong Cinema: Coloniser, Motherland and Self. Routledge publishing. ISBN   0-7007-1746-3