Alexander Bustamante Biography

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Biography Part 5 - Arrest and Imprisonment

On 8 September 1940, Alexander Bustamante was arrested for his involvement in the riots on the Kingston waterfront.

At one of the riots security forces threatened to shoot the protestors. Bustamante stepped forward, bared his chest and said that they could shoot him instead of the people. Bustamante was then arrested under the Defense of the Realm Act and was held at Up Park Camp.

Many of the protesting waterfront workers refused to go back to work unless Bustamante was released from Jail. Whilst Bustamante was in prison his associates, including Norman Manley continued the work of the BITU Manley also fought hard for Bustamante's release from prison which was granted in February 1942.

Previous: Labour Riots

Next: Establishment of the JLP

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