1942 Burma Road riot

Labour riot in the Bahamas May 2026 1942 Burma Road riot Second World War 1 June 1942 Nassau, Colony of the Bahamas Low pay for Bahamian workers Truce negotiated for better pay Bahamian workers USA 1912 American contractors British EmpireBahamas 1923 Colony of the Bahamas British Empire Edward, Duke of Windsor 5 30 114 The 1942 Burma Road riot was a riot in the colony of the Bahamas on 1 June 1942 between local Bahamian workers and American contractors working on constructing military airfields over pay and conditions.https://blackpast.org/global-african-history/1942-burma-road-riot-bahamas/ 1942 Burma Road riot, Bahamas 14 December 2020 Black Past 2026-04-15 Five Bahamians were killed and 114 were arrested. The riot was calmed by the Governor of the Bahamas, The Duke of Windsor negotiating a truce.https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1942/jun/17/bahamas-labour-riots Bahamas labour riots Hansard 1942-06-17 2026-04-15 Background During the Second World War, the British authorities authorised the construction of two new military airfields in the Bahamas. One in Nassau and one in New Providence. This was contracted out to Pleasantville Construction Company, who offered local Bahamian workers 8 shillings a day but due to British officials' objections, this was lowered to 4 shillings a day. The company also brought in American contractors to assist but they were paid the full 8 shillings. When the Bahamians found out about this, they protested to the company but the company told them it was that or nothing, with many Bahamians walking away from the project as a result.https://ewnews.com/letters-to-the-editor-why-many-dont-know-where-burma-road-is/ EW News 2026-05-01 Letters to the Editor: Why many don't know where Burma Road is 12 February 2024 Riot On 1 June, the former Bahamian workers marched on Burma Road in Nassau. The Attorney-General of the Bahamas, Eric Hallinan met the crowd on the steps of the Colonial Secretary's office and promised if the crowd sent a representative, they would be listened to. He also stated that the Americans had planned to bring their own workers but because the Bahamians were so good, they did not and asked the crowd not to "spoil the good impression they had made". Whilst some in the crowd returned to work as a result, the majority viewed this as a statement they would be replaced so started to turn violent and started damaging buildings, looting and throwing bottles stolen from a nearby Coca-Cola lorry as missiles.https://mars.gmu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f4fef95f-3556-4def-87d1-b4ccffe4c048/content "I'SE A MAN": THE 1942 RIOT AS AN ATTACK ON BAY STREET George Mason University 2026-05-01 The main library and the post office were destroyed by the rioters setting them on fire.https://ournews.bs/today-in-history-may-30/ Today in History: 30 May 30 May 2023 Our News 2026-05-01 In response, the British authorities mobilised the Volunteer Defence Force and read the Riot Act, with a combined force of the military and Bahamas Police Force tackling the 800 strong riot. During the riot, 5 Bahamian rioters were shot dead by the security services and 30 British personnel were injured.https://bahamianology.com/burma-road-riot-5-negroes-shot-dead-and-30-white-men-injured-1942/ 5 negroes shot dead and 30 white men injured 6 June 2018 Bahamianology 2026-05-02 114 were arrested. Resolution The Governor of the Bahamas, the Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII) was abroad when the riot occurred but returned to Nassau immediately when he heard of it. Upon his return, Edward imposed a curfew and increased military patrols. He agreed to meet with the Bahamian workers to discuss the situation.https://academic.oup.com/florida-scholarship-online/book/30275/chapter-abstract/257264523?redirectedFrom=fulltext World War II and the 1942 Nassau Riot Oxford University Press Gail Saunders 2026-05-01 Edward negotiated an agreement whereby the Bahamian workers would receive 5 shillings a day and a free lunch, which resulted in half of the workforce returning to the project by 4 June. Edward received praise from many in the Bahamas for negotiating a peaceful resolution, though Edward personally blamed the riot on communists and those who got jobs to avoid potentially being drafted.Ziegler Philip 1991 King Edward VIII: The official biography. Alfred A. Knopf 0-394-57730-2 471–472 References Category:1942 riots Category:1940s in the Bahamas Category:Crime in the Bahamas Category:1942 in the Caribbean Category:1942 in the British Empire