Hanapēpē Massacre | |||
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Date | September 9, 1924 | ||
Location | |||
Goals | $2 daily wage 8 hour day | ||
Parties | |||
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Lead figures | |||
Jack Butler | |||
Casualties and losses | |||
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The Hanapēpē Massacre (also called the Battle of Hanapēpē) occurred on September 9, 1924, when a dispute amongst Filipino strike organizers in Hanapēpē, Kaua'i resulted in a violent exchange between local police officers and Filipinos.[1] The conflict began when two Ilocano youth, allegedly breaking the Filipino-led labor strike, were detained and harassed by a group of Visayans at the Hanapepe strike camp.[2] When the local police were called to settle the dispute, they arrived with a group of heavily armed special deputies.[1] Upon arrival, the officers issued warrants of arrest for the two detained Illocanos, causing the collection of Filipino strikers to rally in opposition.[2] Despite previously ridiculing the two Ilocanos, the remaining Filipinos armed themselves and demanded the boys be released.[2] A violent exchange ensued wherein sixteen Filipino laborers and four police officers were left dead.[1]