In 2012, we commemorated the 25th anniversary with events where we highlighted in our previous blog.
It is 2024. We would like to share more details and photos of events and exhibition from the anniversary. Do check back on this page in the coming days.
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the grave injustice done by our British colonial master to Chinese Middle School students in Singapore.
On 13 May 1954, student leaders presented a letter at the Istana requesting compulsory national service exemption for 18 year old males. Many of those students had their education disrupted during the Japanese occupation and wanted to complete their studies as soon as possible so as to join the workforce.
五一三学堂一角 A Short Film On The May 13 Generation by Jason Soo
While the representatives were on Istana grounds, several hundreds waited peacefully along Clemenceau Avenue and Fort Canning. Without any warning, the colonial police descended on the students using batons to disperse them and some of the students were injured. Many people gave them aid and shelter. Some students went back to their school and started a peaceful protest supported by their parents and the public who were incensed by the rough treatment of the students.
That incident sparked the beginning of the fight for Singapore’s independence. It was also that incident that brought the attention of the English educated university students to the Chinese Middle School students. The university students were also anti colonialism.
We see the mass demonstrations taking place all over the world in protest against the genocide taking place in Palestine. Singapore too had its share of protests in the 1950s. If not for the laws that prohibit even one person from protesting, it is possible that our young people too will be encouraging world leaders to end the barbaric genocide.
