The Trinidad and Tobago Water Riots was a nationwide uprising and class war over water use in Port of Spain in the then British colony of Trinidad and Tobago in 1903.
Background
Port of Spain's bourgeoisie had been known for excessive water waste in the construction of elaborate fountains and gardens. Engineers in the 1880s observed the over-consumption and recommended expanding the plumbing network and installing water meters, but this was ignored by the central government. The concept that water was a common resource to be shared by all and not a capitalist commodity became popular among the lower classes, and efforts to restrict public participation in debate led to a riot.[1]
Events
The Parliament (The Red House) was attacked with stones and bottles, windows were smashed and people stormed the parliament, forcing politicians to hide under tables. Police,the army and the navy were all deployed to land soldiers. Police massacred 16 protesters and injured 42 (including two teenagers and a child). As protesters stormed the parliament, it was burned down to the ground.
Results
The riot led to the reinstatement of a local democratic council to manage water affairs.[2]