Working Class Calendar

Panama Anti-American Riots (1959)

Tue Nov 03, 1959

On this day in 1959, during a celebration of Panamanian independence, riots broke out as protesters clashed with U.S. soldiers and Canal Zone police. A U.S. flag was torn from the ambassador's residence and trampled by the crowd.

The demonstrations were influenced by former foreign minister Aquilino Boyd, who threatened a "peaceful invasion" of the American-controlled Panama Canal Zone to raise the flag of the republic there as tangible evidence of Panama's sovereignty over the territory, which had been under the control of the United States since 1903.

Fearful that Panamanian mobs might actually force entry into the Canal Zone, the United States government put troops on the ground. Several hundred Panamanians crossed barbed-wire restraints and clashed with Canal Zone police and U.S. soldiers.

Extensive and violent disorder followed. A mob smashed the windows of the United States Information Agency library. The United States flag was torn from the ambassador's residence and trampled, and the U.S. embassy was attacked. Stones were thrown against the troops, who were dispersed by tear gas.

These riots were a prequel to the deadlier and more prominent Flag Protest of 1964, which led to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which granted independence to the Canal Zone.

• Date: 1959-11-03
• Learn More: en.wikipedia.org, history.state.gov.
• Tags: #Riots, #Protests, #Independence.
• Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org