Biography - Vancouver Police - Circa 1938                                                          < Back to Gallery 

June 19,1938 was to be called ‘Bloody Sunday’ in Vancouver.  During protests and sit-ins over postal issues and feeling increased economic pressures from the Great Depression, Vancouver was ready to erupt.  Police evicted unemployed men from the post office (now the Sinclair Center), the building had been occupied for six weeks by more than 700 unemployed workers who were demanding federal relief.
Rioting by more than 5000 people caused considerable damage.  Eventually the protesters were ousted by the police using tear gas and clubs; 39 people were injured and 22 arrested.  Protesting the BC government decision to stop relief payments, groups of unemployed men also occupied the Art Gallery and Hotel Georgia.