Post by Auset on Mar 4, 2004 21:22:26 GMT -5
The Orangeburg Massacre, as it later would be called, occurred on February 8, 1968 on the campus of South Carolina State University. While the events of that day certainly played a part in what led to the massacre, it was also the culmination of the preceding days events that also contributed.
It had been four years since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and most public places in Orangeburg, South Carolina were integrated. However, the city’s All Star bowling alley remained segregated. On the evening of February 6, black students from South Carolina State University and Clafin College gathered in protest in front of the bowling alley. The next night they returned. On that evening, fifteen were arrested.
After two days of protest, tension was already high by the evening of February 8. Students again organized in protest. But this time they gathered on the campus of South Carolina State University. They started a bonfire and as law enforcement tried to put it out, an officer was injured with a piece of banister.
In response to the commotion, a highway patrolman fired his gun into the air to calm the crowd. But instead of ending the commotion, other law enforcement officers began shooting into the crowd of student protestors. As a result, three students were killed and 27 were injured. The nine patrolmen responsible were charged, and all were acquitted.
Recently, the Orangeburg Massacre has been in the news again. On February 18, 2003 a bill was introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly. It calls for the creation of a commission to recommend compensation to the victims and families of the victims of the Orangeburg Massacre.
It had been four years since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and most public places in Orangeburg, South Carolina were integrated. However, the city’s All Star bowling alley remained segregated. On the evening of February 6, black students from South Carolina State University and Clafin College gathered in protest in front of the bowling alley. The next night they returned. On that evening, fifteen were arrested.
After two days of protest, tension was already high by the evening of February 8. Students again organized in protest. But this time they gathered on the campus of South Carolina State University. They started a bonfire and as law enforcement tried to put it out, an officer was injured with a piece of banister.
In response to the commotion, a highway patrolman fired his gun into the air to calm the crowd. But instead of ending the commotion, other law enforcement officers began shooting into the crowd of student protestors. As a result, three students were killed and 27 were injured. The nine patrolmen responsible were charged, and all were acquitted.
Recently, the Orangeburg Massacre has been in the news again. On February 18, 2003 a bill was introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly. It calls for the creation of a commission to recommend compensation to the victims and families of the victims of the Orangeburg Massacre.
