SERIOUS RIOT

Southland Times, Issue 22294, 9 April 1934, Page 5

SERIOUS RIOT

AMERICAN CITY CESSATION OF RELIEF PROVISIONS ANGRY DEMONSTRATION (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Minneapolis, April 6. One of the most serious riots that has yet occurred anywhere in the country as a result of the cessation of relief provisions for the unemployed took place here to-day when, following the arrest of a delegation wearing red arm bands and led by a woman on crutches as they attempted to enter the Town Hall to present demands for a continuation of the civil works administration and cash relief funds, a fight between police and unemployed ensued, resulting in injury to 18 persons and the spattering of the sidewalks with blood. Three thousand demonstrators attempted to rush upon the Town Hall only to be repeatedly repulsed by the police, 10 of whom were badly beaten by the mob. The police refrained from employing machine-guns mounted near the building, depending chiefly on batons and tear gas to restrain the rioters. The latter hurled paving blocks, coal and scrap iron from passing vehicles, not only finding the police target, but doing considerable damage to the Town Hall itself. A later message states that with the howls of the mob clearly audible the City Council hurriedly voted the relief demands. When this information was communicated to the rioters they gradually dispersed, but the police maintained a heavy cordon around the building on rumours that a bomb outrage might be attempted.