Violence at Plantation Leaves Six Hurt

(Akron/Tire Review) Clashes with police have left at least six people wounded at Bridgestone Americas Holdings natural rubber plantation in Liberia, according to numerous press reports. Workers there had been on strike since Apr. 24, reportedly demanding the ouster of the facility’s top manager.

The plantation employs some 6,000 to 8,000 workers.

The strike reportedly turned ugly on Apr. 27 when strikers erected roadblocks and began throwing stones at Liberian police. UN representatives were reportedly later called to the site in an effort to disperse the crowd, at which point police fired tear gas into the crowd. Fighting then broke out, said reports, injuring three workers and three police officers.

The strike began after plantation officials and the Liberian government met to review the contract that allows BAH to operate the plantation.