Events
-21st March 1960, 5,000-20,000 people gathered outside the police station in Sharpeville
-peacefully protesting about having to carry passes
-police refused to arrest people saying that it was impractical (protesters point)
-police were reinforced by officers from other areas
-senior officers arrived to control the crowds
-400 police, 303 rifles, carrying clubs
Killings
-police on edge from facing riots elsewhere
-long hot day standing off with the rioters
-police moved protesters into a football field to manage the crowd (confined space)
-police mistakenly thought senior officer was shot so began to shoot into the crowds
-69 killed
-200 injured, many died from wounds
-70% of those killed were shot in the back (while fleeing)