1966 жылғы Гонконгтағы паром бағасы көтерілісіне қарсы көтеріліс

Riots over increased ferry fares in Hong Kong in 1966

The 1966 Hong Kong riots, also known as the 1966 Star Ferry riots, were a series of disturbances that took place over four 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.

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, the Government revealed that the Star Ferry had applied to it for fare increases of between 50% and 100%. Star Ferry, which considered this a secret, expressed dismay that the application had been made public. It was further revealed that Star Ferry had solicited the views of the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry on the increase sought. This sparked public fears that if the increase in fares were approved, other forms of public transport would also raise their prices. When the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) approved Star Ferry's fare increase in March 1966, Elsie Elliot, an Urban Councillor and dissenting member of the TAC, created a petition against the fare increase and collected the signatures of 20,000 citizens. A peaceful and rational protest was conducted by two participants. However, it was severely suppressed by the Hong Kong Government. The public was outraged.

The 1960s was a period of mounting dissatisfaction over British colonial rule. Living and working conditions of the general population were poor, and corruption in officialdom was prevalent. Citizens were distrustful of the rampantly corrupt police, and the inequity of policing.

The 1966 riots marked the birth of civic activism in Hong Kong. It is the first large scale social movement in Hong Kong with huge number of young people participation. It also reflected widespread social discontent that eventually led to the territory wide leftist riots in 1967. The Edinburgh Place Star Ferry pier, where the riots originated, was included in the controversial Central waterfront redevelopment project in 2007. Many protesters linked their demonstration against the demolition of the pier with So's action.