1932 Colonial Building riot

Prompted by the Great Depression and corruption in the Squires administration, a peaceful protest degenerated into riots and violence.

His finance minister, Peter John Cashin, resigned in 1932 alleging widespread corruption in Squires' administration and of falsifying minutes to hide secret payments he had received.

[1] In the afternoon of April 5, a large crowd of protesters had gathered at the Majestic Theatre for a planned march to the Colonial Building.

Upon arrival at the building, protest leaders presented a petition demanding investigation of the corruption charges against Squires.

Prime Minister Squires exited the building at around 7:30, surrounded by bodyguards, but was found by the crowd, who forced him into a private residence.