1966 Hong Kong riots

The Hong Kong 1966 Riots was a series of disturbances that took place over three nights on the streets of Kowloon, Hong Kong in the spring of 1966. The riots started as peaceful demonstrations against the British Colonial government's decision to increase the fare of Star Ferry foot-passenger harbour crossing by 25 percent. One person died in the riots, dozens were injured, and over 1,800 people were arrested during the turmoil.

Origins

The Star Ferry was an important link between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island before the Cross-Harbour Tunnel was built in 1972. In October 1965, Star Ferry announced its intention to increase the fare for first class, from 20 cents to 25 cents, while third class fare would remain at 10 cents. The public worried that if the increase in fares was approved, other forms of public transport would also raise their prices. Elsie Elliot, an Urban Councillor, created a petition against the raised fare carrying the signatures of 20,000 citizens, but despite the opposition, the Hong Kong Government approved Star Ferry's fare increase in March 1966. The public was outraged.

The Riots

4 April 1966

In the morning of 4 April, SO Sau Chung, a 27 year-old young man who worked as a translator, began a hunger strike protest at the Star Ferry Terminal in the Central District. He wore a black jacket with the words "Hail Elsie", "fasting" and "No fare hikes" printed upon it{^{[citation needed]}, and quickly drew a crowd of supporters.

5 April 1966

In the afternoon, the Hong Kong Police arrested So Sau Chung on the charges of obstruction of passageway. That evening, over 1,000 people gathered in Tsim Sha Tsui, demonstrating against So's arrest and the government's support for the Star Ferry company's fare increase.

6 April 1966

The next day, So was put on trial in the Western Magistrate' Court, and was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

In the evening violence started to break out among the protesters in Kowloon. On the busy thoroughfare Nathan Road, mobs threw stones at buses and set vehicles on fire. The Yau Ma Tei Police Station was also attacked by a crowd of over 300 people. Riot police fired tear gas in response, but people continued to gather in Nathan Road, with the mob almost doubling in size once Hong Kong's cinemas closed at midnight.

The rioters looted shops, and attacked and set fire to public facilities including fire stations and power stations. Riot police continued to fire tear gas into the crowds and in some cases fired their carbines at looters. During that night, 772 tear gas canisters, 62 wooden shells and 62 carbine rounds were fired.

The British military was also called into action. Soldiers with bayonets fixed patrolled the streets in Kowloon enforcing a curfew that was imposed after midnight.

7 April 1966

The next day the government announced that the curfew would start early at 7 p.m., and warned that any rioters risked being shot. But that night rioters still gathered on Nathan Road near Mong Kok. Again, vehicles were set on fire and shops looted. Hundreds of people attempted to set the Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok Police stations on fire but were unsuccessful. Over 430 rioters were arrested that night^[1], and one person was killed.

Aftermath

After the events of 7 April, the riots began to die down and by 10 April the curfew was lifted.

Reference

^ Chloe Lai, Curse of the Star Ferry pier, South China Morning Post, December 17, 2006