Murdered by RCMP – Bienfait Cemetery
A headstone in the Bienfait Cemetery claims that the three men buried here were “murdered by RCMP”.
On Sept. 29, 1931, a violent confrontation broke out in nearby Estevan between striking coal miners and the RCMP, leaving three miners dead and several miners and police injured. Miners were seeking better working conditions and higher wages but were parading illegally. The miners took the view that the RCMP was acting on behalf of the mining companies.
Sentiment over the event and controversial headstone remained high for many years, with the word “murdered” having been both obliterated and painted over again.
Today, the three men are regarded as heroes of the labour movement
Getting there – From Estevan, head east along Hwy 18 to the village of Bienfait. The cemetery is in the northwest part of town, and the headstone is in the northwest corner of the cemetery.
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