Sunday 20 March 2011

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

In 1966, The United Nations proclaimed March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day honours the lives of anti-apartheid demonstrators who were killed by police on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa.
On 21 March 1960 at least 180 black Africans were injured (there are claims of as many as 300) and 69 killed when South African police opened fire on approximately 300 demonstrators, who were protesting against the pass laws to start at the beginning of April 1960.
The pass laws required non-whites to carry pass books with them when outside their compounds or designated areas. Failure to produce your pass resulted in arrest and any white person, every a child, could ask to see your pass.
By 10 in the morning almost 5,000 protesters had congregated in the centre of Sharpeville, from where they walked to the police compound. . Only 300 or so protesters were still in the vicinity when the shooting started (this means, however, that the police managed to shoot almost all those near to the compound).
The Sharpeville Massacre, as the event has become known, signalled the start of armed resistance in South Africa, and prompted worldwide condemnation of South Africa's Apartheid policies.
Our family is a great example of not just racial tolerance but racial harmony; just take a look of the vintage and contemporary photos! Let’s continue to be a positive example!

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