On this day, 7 June 1948 Chinese indentured phosphate miners on Nauru protested when a ship came to take them back to China, but they demanded part of their pay.
The workers charged that Chinese interpreters who controlled the community funds would not pay out their share of contributions. Police attempted to arrest one Chinese worker, after which the other miners barricaded themselves into their settlement. The Pacific Islands Monthly journal claimed that the workers "built barricades, armed themselves with spears, clubs and axes, and showered stones upon officials who approached them."
The Administration, run by Australia on behalf of the United Nations, responded by declaring a state of emergency and bringing in riot police. Police attacked the settlement, killing two and injuring 16 Chinese miners. They also arrested 49 people, two of whom were bayoneted to death in custody.
The killer of the workers in custody was charged with unlawful killing but later acquitted. In contrast, the surviving 47 Chinese workers were convicted of offences including extortion and rioting, and deported.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/7982/Nauru-Chinese-workers-protest

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