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Editorial
April 1, 1960
Minneapolis Spokesman
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes South African government's massacre of 72 black protesters and one white during a peaceful demonstration against pass laws under Verwoerd, portraying it as an attempt to enforce modern slavery that backfired amid global condemnation.
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Full Text
Casualties, 72 Blacks And One White
The angry mobs of native Africans described in the press despatches of the international news services must not have been too angry, when one considers the casualties. With 72 native blacks reported mowed down by machine guns of the police and military, only one white person was killed.
It seems to this writer that if the blacks were as blood-thirsty as they have been described they would have probably been able to kill a few more of their oppressors even with their bare hands.
The truth of the matter is that the crowds, which surrounded the police force station, were there for peaceful demonstrations, as their leaders sought to give themselves up for violation of the repressive pass laws. If they had come to fight they would have brought more than the fruit and stones they are alleged to have thrown at the police station.
The South African government has long wanted an opportunity to over-awe the natives with brutal use of firearms in the hope that such savagery would frighten the natives into submissive acceptance of a type of modern style slavery, while everywhere in the world the cry of human freedom is heard.
The brutal Verwoerd reign made its play by massacre, unparalleled in peaceful modern days and its brutality backfired on it.
South African blacks are not afraid of the dive bombers, the machine guns, and the whole civilized world has shown rejection, and horror at the mass murder which the Government of South Africa has committed upon its own people.
The angry mobs of native Africans described in the press despatches of the international news services must not have been too angry, when one considers the casualties. With 72 native blacks reported mowed down by machine guns of the police and military, only one white person was killed.
It seems to this writer that if the blacks were as blood-thirsty as they have been described they would have probably been able to kill a few more of their oppressors even with their bare hands.
The truth of the matter is that the crowds, which surrounded the police force station, were there for peaceful demonstrations, as their leaders sought to give themselves up for violation of the repressive pass laws. If they had come to fight they would have brought more than the fruit and stones they are alleged to have thrown at the police station.
The South African government has long wanted an opportunity to over-awe the natives with brutal use of firearms in the hope that such savagery would frighten the natives into submissive acceptance of a type of modern style slavery, while everywhere in the world the cry of human freedom is heard.
The brutal Verwoerd reign made its play by massacre, unparalleled in peaceful modern days and its brutality backfired on it.
South African blacks are not afraid of the dive bombers, the machine guns, and the whole civilized world has shown rejection, and horror at the mass murder which the Government of South Africa has committed upon its own people.
What sub-type of article is it?
Slavery Abolition
Social Reform
Foreign Affairs
What keywords are associated?
South Africa
Verwoerd
Pass Laws
Massacre
Racial Oppression
Sharpeville
Apartheid
What entities or persons were involved?
South African Government
Verwoerd
Native Africans
Police And Military
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of South African Government Brutality Against Black Protesters
Stance / Tone
Strongly Anti Apartheid And Critical Of Government Massacre
Key Figures
South African Government
Verwoerd
Native Africans
Police And Military
Key Arguments
Reported Mobs Were Not Truly Angry, As Only One White Killed Despite 72 Blacks
Crowds Gathered For Peaceful Demonstrations To Surrender For Pass Law Violations
Protesters Used Only Fruit And Stones, Not Weapons For Fighting
Government Sought To Over Awe Natives With Firearms To Enforce Modern Slavery
Verwoerd Regime's Massacre Unparalleled In Modern Peaceful Times
Brutality Backfired, With Blacks Unafraid And World Showing Rejection And Horror